Middletown City School Board Meeting 10-21-2025

001Good evening, ladies and gentlemen, and welcome to the October 21ucation. >> First of all, sorry, the microphone was off. So once again, we want to welcome everybody to the October 21st, 2025 school board meeting for the Enlarge City School District of Middletown. At first, I do want to apologize to our audience uh this evening for having a little bit too much of an excessive executive session. Unfortunately, sometimes that happens uh during school board meetings, but my apologies. I know that uh your time is very important to us, and we want to thank you for coming out uh this evening. So, I'd like to call the meeting to order. And a reminder that uh the agenda tonight was prepared in advance. The final agenda for tonight's meeting is subject to change at the time of the

002meeting. Any changes 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. Vice President Romero We'd also 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. At this time, if you could please rise and remove your hats and face the flag located to your left if you're in the audience. Our pledge of allegiance led by Mr. Andrew Moore. And please remain standing afterwards for a moment of silence. United States. >> Mr. Rat and Pastor Williams for our moment of silence. >> Yes. If we can remain standing. Hats off. um want to take the time out to um offer

003our condolences to a family, a young man who has um been a part of our community for some time. Um his family eventually eventually um ventured up to uh Newberg and um unfortunately at the age of 13 he tragically lost his life. Uh the young man's name is Matthew Jacob Deg Grot and um again um it's really a tragedy. It's really sad. So we want to offer our respect and condolences to the family. Um bereiement is a really tough thing for young children. Uh he also was part of um our football teams here in the city and um you know a lot of his um teammates were were at the um funeral um this past Saturday as well as um his student um his classmates up in um from Newberg. Uh again, um I want

004to um take my hat off to uh Pastor Michael Williams, um our Pastor John Williams brother as well as um John Williams and um their send off for the young man. and it was a big turnout and um family is very pleased and um again sincere condolences um on on behalf of um Middletown City School Board and the community at large. Um if you have a few minutes, John, you want to take your time? >> Um this is this is uh this is not an easy one. Um, Matthew was 11 years old actually. And um, and it's a tragedy all the way around. >> Yeah. >> Uh, I am grateful for the privilege that the family afforded my brother and I to facilitate those services. And as often as this happens, it never gets any

005easier. um a wonderful amazing young man, a family that I have known for many, many years. Longtime Middletown family and so this affects our entire community. >> Yes. >> And so, um they will be returning to Middletown. And so when you this family, we're going to have to wrap our arms around them. And so I just wanted to say that um you I hope that you all will excuse me. I'm I'm going to be leaving a little bit earlier. This besides some other things has really triggered me and I'm holding back tears right now. But let's continue to our children are too precious for us to lose them. And whatever we're doing, we're not doing enough. And so we've got to do more. So let's remember them, the Dro family, in our thoughts and our

006prayers. Thank you. >> Thank you, Mr. Red. Thank you, Pastor Williams. >> And now for the mission of the Enlarge City School District of Middletown. Mr. Parino. >> Thank you, President Estrada. 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. Pino. Roll call. Mrs. Monerie, >> de Jesus. >> Mr. Estrada >> here. >> Mr. Moore >> here. >> Mr. Corino >> here. >> Mr. >> Here >> Mr. Basin >> here. Freddy Williams >> here. >> Williams >> here. >> Thank you, Mrs. Merie. Before we get to the rest of our agenda this evening, I'd like to make

007an opening statement. I'm about to be 60 years old in about two months. And uh please bear with me because I typically don't write things down um because I like to speak from the heart. And that's what I'd like to do tonight as well. Not one day of those 60 years has gone by without be me having successes and me making mistakes. Um, two weeks ago when I addressed the, uh, public and the board of education, um, I talked about having gone out to meet with some of our administrators in the school district. And although there was no mal intent in doing so as my efforts were try to get some information for our board of education, I did not ask permission from the board of education to meet with those administrators. And for somebody

008who's continually telling our board that we need to work together as a team, I neglected to do that with this team. Um because of that, there has to be accountability. Um, we teach our young people, including our student board members to my right, that when you make a mistake, you need to be held accountable for those mistakes. Um, I want to open up by personally apologizing to Trustee Moore, Trustee Perino, Trustee Rat, Trustee Tobias, Trustee De Jesus, Trustee Freddy Williams, Trustee John Williams, Trustee Vice President Romero, our superintendent of schools, and our community for not having acted within the authority of the board of education. When that happens, again, you are held accountable for it. And I will accept whatever punishment comes my way, deservedly so. If that includes stepping down as president of the

009board of education, I will do that wholeheartedly because at the end of the day, it's not this, you know, still being on the board and contributing is just as important. So that may happen. uh we're working towards that goal and I be will feel perfectly comfortable uh with Vice President Romero as our new president and whomever takes on the role as vice president as well moving forward. But that's a lesson learned and that's how things happen. So I will continue to contribute for this community. I've been part of board service for 22 years, 16 of it here at Middletown. Uh, but I also want to make sure that we do the right things all the time. So, with that being said, we'll move on to the rest of our meeting. Roll call. Uh, we did

010roll call, so I need a motion to approve tonight's agenda. >> Moved by Mr. R, seconded by Mr. Perino. Any discussion? All those in favor? I. Any opposed? Motion carries. 80. I need approval for the regular meeting minutes of October 9th and October 11, 2025. >> Moved by Mr. Pino, >> seconded. Was that Mr. Freddy Williams? >> Uh, any discussion? All those in favor? I >> I Any opposed? Motion carries. 80. I need approval for administrative personnel memorandum 10A number one. >> Moved by Mr. Bison. >> Second on that. >> Seconded by Mr. Parino. Any discussion? All those in favor? I >> I. Any opposed? Motion carries. 8 0. I need approval for instructional personnel memorandum 10B numbers 1 through 17. >> Moved by Mr. Moore. >> Seconded by Mr. Parino. Any discussion? All those

011in favor? >> I. Any opposed? Motion carries. 800. I need approval for non-instructional personnel memorandum 10 C numbers 1 through eight. So moved. >> Moved by Mr. Bison. >> Second on that. >> Seconded by Mr. Perino. Any discussion? >> All those in favor? I >> I Any opposed? Motion carries. Did you have a question? >> I I just want to say on on and I don't know if you want me to do it now. Under item A, it was a tenure appointment which is a career for uh Miss Tagy. And I just feel that we should acknowledge that >> 100%. Is is she here today or No. No, she's not here. Well, God bless, Miss Dangley. Congratulations on your tenure appointment. [Applause] And we will be celebrating all of our tenure appointments later in the

012year in June when we bring them all together. But thank you for reminding me, Miss Tobias. Um, we had a a motion and a second, correct? We still need a motion for non-instructional >> or for financial. So, we completed the first one. Okay, good. So I need approval for financial memorandum 11D numbers 1 through nine. >> Second >> by Miss Tobias. >> Second. >> Okay. So there is mine says 1 through nine but it is 1 through five on the financial memorandum. So there was a motion by Mr. Bison. Who was the second? >> Second on that. >> Mr. Parino had the second. Any further discussion? All those in favor? >> I. Any opposed? Motion carries. 800. I need approval of special services memorandum 9E numbers one and two. >> So move >> moved by

013Mr. Moore second. >> Seconded by Mr. Parino. Any discussion? >> All those in favor? >> I. Any opposed? Motion carries. 8 Z. No change orders at this time. Uh we need approval to amend the board of education meeting schedule for 2025. This moves our November 6th meeting of 2025, which is our next regularly scheduled meeting, to Wednesday, November 5th to ensure that we have a quorum for the board meeting. So, I need a motion. >> Moved by Mr. R, seconded by Mr. Moore. Any discussion? All those in favor? I. Any opposed? Motion carries. 80. I need approval for our 2025 financial statement, management letter, extra classroom audit, and our cap. Uh, submitted by Dr. Norville Connell. Moved by Mr. Bison. >> Seconded by Mr. Rhett. Any discussion? Mr. Connell, would you like to let us

014know what this involves for the public's sake? >> Dr. Connell, I'm my apolog um I'm happy to announce that um coming out of the audit um there were no corrective action plans. So that was actually great, which means that we actually have um our our systems in place that allows us to be transparent, but at the same time it allows us to it make sure that we're managing our funds properly. So that was a excellent thing coming out of the um out of the audit. The other thing that I must say is that even with all the with gasp 101 and all the different um constraints um we have risen to the challenge and um and we were successful in making sure that our numbers were presenting accurately. So thank you. >> Thank you. Appreciate

015it. Dr. Connell. >> Uh any further discussion? >> Can I ask for a motion? >> Okay. Any further discussion? All those in favor? I. Any opposed? Motion carries. is 800. Thank goodness for our district clerk. Move on to our spotlight on excellence, our recognition for our Elk student of the month. I'm going to hand it over to Mr. Parino. >> Thank you. would members of the Elks uh proceed to the podium along with our honored guest student of the month and uh the student of the month of families also and of course the administration for the high school. >> Look at that smile. I think we will start off with our high school administrator. >> Good evening. I'd like us to give a really warm Middletown welcome to Tyena. >> Hey. All right. >> Tyena

016is our cohort 2025 student of the month. She recently joined us all the way from Brooklyn, New York, my home, and is already making her mark as an older sister and new student at Middletown High School. Tyena is absolutely off to an amazing start this school year, achieving high 90s and hundreds in all her classes. Tyena is genuinely smart, so bright and friendly as a student, constantly uplifting her classmates. She's now expanding her horizons by joining high school clubs, and she has her sight set on becoming a nurse practitioner after graduation. Described by others as happy, compassionate, and allaround bright, we couldn't be happier that Tyena is now a valued member of our Middletown community. Thank you. [Applause] I would like to say thank you to everybody who nominated me and spoke highly of me

017so that I was able to win this award. I thank you and appreciate everybody of the Middletown community. Y'all treat me with respect and love. I would also like to say thank you to my parents who support me and show me love and gratitude. And I also want to say thank you to my little brother Congratulations. >> Where's mom and dad? Raise your hands. Awesome job. Congratulations. >> I'd like to thank the members of the Elks, the Pastor Rulers, for being here this evening. Would you like to say a word? >> Just congratulations, Diana. It's so lovely to meet you and hear about your amazing accomplishments, especially as a freshman. That's awesome. Well done. And speaking about making a mark, our new administrator at the high school, come on up. Intro introduce yourself and people

018to board. >> Hi, I'm Mrs. Newsome. I'm actually the cohort 2025 dean. I was a teacher here for many years and I'm excited to be part of the high school community. Thank you. >> And Mrs. Newsome is also a veteran, correct? >> Yes, sir. >> There you go. >> So, I think now they'll have a picture of the family and everybody. Awesome job. Congratulations once again, Tyena. [Applause] So, we'll move on to our public participation and an opportunity to address the board of education. 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 and the public is not permitted to discuss topics and/or matters involving specific individuals. Speakers must sign in prior to speaking and

019speakers are not permitted to seed their time to other speakers. Vice President Romero Yeah. Thank you, Vice President Romero. So, if anybody would like to address the board at this time, please come on out. Hello. Hi. Okay, I'm very nervous. Members of the board, hello. My name is Jamie Cahan and I've been with the district for almost 14 years. From the beginning, I told Betsy McKeen that my goal was to retire from here and that is how still how I feel. I've had the chance to work with everyone in the district, administrators, principles, office managers, teachers, clerical, nurses, technology, and buildings and grounds team. And I have built strong relationships with all of them. Over the years, I have seen many changes in the district. Some good, some okay, some that are not fair. I

020have to admit standing here speaking today makes me very nervous. But I hope that by sharing my thoughts I can inspire others to speak too. In recent years we have faced serious issues in the district. Things like bullying by administrators and directors, favoritism, and unfair treatment of dedicated employees. Many of us are scared to speak out because we fear retaliation from certain individuals. It is important that the district follows civil service laws, but I have seen the district not fully comply with the rules. I was once told as an employee, all my questions have to go through HR and I should not contact civil service directly. It is also disheartening to see deserving people miss out on jobs that are that they are more than qualified for just because someone else has a connection. I

021have seen unqualified individuals get hired because of who they know. positions have been changed to accommodate them. Rewritten job descriptions to fit individuals who do not meet qualifications. There are cases where the civil service test expires or made invalid to keep certain people in jobs until they pass the test. But this is not done for everyone, just certain people. I know two people who passed a test, scored high in the top three, even got fingerprinted at the district's expense, and the the employees or the future employees never heard from the district again. The role of a board member is to advocate for our district. But how can you do that when so many employees are afraid? I know the superintendent reports to you directly and makes recommendations on promotions and firings, but do you really

022know who I am? what I do for the district or how I feel. As a district, we should work together as a team. Without the teachers, our students cannot learn. No one, no payroll, no one gets paid. No purchasing, no supplies, furniture or equipment. We wouldn't have HR for hiring. No health benefits or insurance and buildings and grounds would be wouldn't be maintained. If you want to understand how employees truly feel, you need to create a safe place where we can speak with speak up without fearing for our jobs. We need to know we can express our concerns without the threat of retaliation. Only then can we build a culture of honesty and improvement in our district. Thank you for listening. I'm very nervous. >> Thank you. You did fine. You did fine. That's not

023easy. Anybody else would like to speak? Okay, I'm going to read from prepared. Um, good evening members of the board of education. The board recently hired a law firm to investigate the conduct of employees and other school officers. I asked for some clarification. What is the scope of the investigation? Is it connected to individuals involved in the EEOC charge? Does it include a review of the past actions of related uh related to employee management by the two named individuals, the superintendent and the HR director? My concern is about the HR director who is currently working. She has access to all employee related matters including confidential information and the ability to launch investigations. As HR director, she runs and oversees a department responsible for handling sensitive and confidential documents. However, she disclosed EEOC complaintants medical information

024protected by the Americans with Disabilities Act. Her mishandling of an employese's confidential information demonstrate de demonstrates gross negligence. Also, her involvement in the handling in the EOCC accommodation of the accommodation of the EOCC complaintant raises additional alarm. This situation stands in stark contrasts to how other employees have been treated during their investigations. They were removed from their workplace and assigned to small partitioned areas in the board office for weeks and even months with little privacy, leaving them exposed to colleagues and visitors. This practice may be a violation of their civil rights. This could also lead to legal action against the district. In addition, some face berating and intimidation seemingly to pressure them into resigning. Then severe penalties were also imposed on some of these individuals, including financial penalties, long periods of sequestering, as well as

025preventing them from holding previous extracurricular positions and finally transfers to other schools in the district. What responsibility does the board hold in all of this? I have been informed that the HR director has built personal relations with some board members and the superintendent. I take no issue with that, but I wonder if they affect the objectivity required to thoroughly examine her actions. For example, the superintendent is responsible for investigating alleged employee misconduct. It seems a conflict of interest that she would be want to investigate the HR director's breach of a federal ADA disclosure law. This breach is included in a federal charge and likely manifest a lawsuit. If the superintendent is on leave, what is the rationale for the HR director not being subject to the same protocols? Also, letters from the board were sent

026to the uh letters from employees were sent to the board. These letters detail experiences and the effect that the current environment had on them. Unfortunately, they can't be read publicly since they were sent anonymously. Please ask yourselves, why would they want to share and not identify themselves? The answer is there is a paralyzing fear of retaliation for speaking up. This sentiment was echoed by many folks I spoke with. They've heard or seen repercussions faced by those who have voiced their concerns. One employee said to me, "I don't trust HR. Who can I go to?" HR is supposed to ensure compliance with laws, hire and retain employees, prioritize the well-being of staff. Yet, our HR department seems to like the trust and competence of our employees. I'm also puzzled by the board's decision to approve the

027addition of two new positions in the HR department. How does this restored the trust and faith in this organization? This seems to be a service level improvement. Maybe a pause should be considered before feel filling these positions and direct energy and effort to a closer evaluation of its director and the department. I bring these questions to you hoping to understand what actions we'll be taking to address, improve, and resolve the situation. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Would anyone else like to address the board at this time? I have to read from my phone. Sorry. Um, good evening members of the board. My name is Ashley Diaz and I'm the parent of a seven-year-old son on the autism spectrum. He was attending the Maple Hill Annex Truman Moon, which is a special needs school within

028our district until recently. I'm here tonight to to speak not only on behalf of my son, but for all the children with special needs who deserve better support and understanding in our schools. My son has struggled greatly this year due to a lack of proper support. His school does not have any trained registered behavior technicians, even though it's supposed to be a program designed for children with autism. Without that trained staff, my son's behavioral challenges have been handled through removal from the class instead of through support and skill building. Support and skill building. Every day he has been in crisis, not because he cannot learn, but because the school does not have the tools or trained staff to help him succeed. This is heartbreaking, especially because my son was once considered a success story. In

029kindergarten, he made tremendous progress using his AAC device. He showed high growth on his MAP scores and was recognized as an example of success in the 812 program at a previous board meeting. Now, due to the lack of proper supports, he has regressed significantly. I've always been an advocate for my children, but time and time again, I've been let down by this district. One of my children were even released to a non-custodial parent in the past, which took police involvement to resolve, a trauma our family still carries. And now, again, another one of my children have been deeply impacted by systemic failures. My son has been threatened with disciplinary actions and removed from learning environments, even sent to the principal's office instead of being supported through behavioral strategies appropriate for his disability. He's been taken

030to the sensory room instead of allowed to participate in recess or social opportunities with his peers. I truly feel my son has been punished for behaviors that stem from his disability disability not helped to learn the skills he needs. But I have to ask, what research supports punishing a child with autism as an effective educational approach? Because I have not seen any that does. It is deeply concerning that a program meant for children with autism and other special needs lacks the staff and structure to meet their basic needs. I know my son is not the only child struggling. Many students in the school are isolated with limited exposure to non-disabled peers and are not receiving the free and appropriate public education that they are entitled to under federal law. I am now forced to seek

031an outof district placement for my son to get him the help he should have been receiving here. But I'm speaking out tonight, not only for him, but to urge this district to make changes so other families do not have to go through what we have. These children need properly trained staff, behavior supports, and opportunities for inclusion, not isolation and punishment. Please take a serious look at how these programs are being run, who is being hired, and whether our district is truly meeting the needs of its most vulnerable students. Our children deserve better. Thank you. >> Thank you, Mrs. Diaz. Miss Diaz, if I could just ask you to sign in on the long Oh, you did. Okay, good. Thank you. Would anyone else like to address the board at this time? No, not missing anybody.

032Thank you everybody. I know that's not easy to do. Okay. No letters received, right, Mrs. Montrey? Okay, moving on to our superintendent updates. Acting superintendent Adma, >> good evening. >> So, just uh wanted to give a couple updates. Uh the first, we are celebrating Red Ribbon Week this week. That's why we're some of us are wearing red. >> So, Octo Red Ribbon Week starts October 23rd through October 31st. And what we've done so much in the past, we've had our administrators across buildings get together to plan some activities across the district. Well, we today we tomorrow we'll have some high school scholars going to the kickoff event in Goan. Our fifth graders will have a assembly that will be um hosted by our ADAC prevention specialist Wanda Feebas along with Officer Golly from Millettown PD.

033We're also having the spirit week. So today was team up against drugs. So twin day, there will be a turn your bat to drugs and alcohol backwards day. On Wednesday, Thursday, put drugs to rest, pajama day. And then Friday, red D to live drug-free, wear red, and midi blue. Families will also receive communication about just some upcoming events given that it's fall. Uh this Saturday we'll have our October 25th from 9 to 4, we'll have our autumn craft fundraiser in the Middle Mil Middleton High School gym. That's to benefit uh the athletic teams. So please come out and support. On Tuesday, October 28th from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. we'll have the John Bringham Memorial Scholarship Night and that's going to be here in the media center. Tickets are $5 and the proceeds go to support

034a scholarship for a Middletown High School scholar in the music department. We have our the uh most request probably our most popular event is our trunk or treat on October 29th. Starts at 4:30 here at the high school in the board of education parking lot. And November 4th is a conference day. So there'll be no school for our scholars while we do professional learning. So just families will see that coming um through on Friday via school messenger. And next, I'd just like to turn it over to Dr. Connell to give some construction updates. President Estrada, Vice President Romero, members of the school board, acting superintendent Adma, Miltown community. If you're driving anywhere past Whisner Avenue, I know that you can't help but look and realize that Twin Towers is not the same building. Um the

035significant changes and the construction project that's taking place is led by really three real important people. Landon Orion, Triton Construction, and KG&D. But we could talk about it here as much as we want, but let's hear it from the people themselves, the people who have brought the expertise, the community sensitivity, and really have and and the management skills to make this project launch and and and to give us the real progress is what's going on. So, welcome our team and thank you guys for being here. >> Hi, good evening everybody. >> So, uh thank you for the opportunity to present to you guys and the board members. Um as you can see, we have a rendering um by the architectural firm. Um this is the uh progress that we're doing. We're going to show you

036the progress of the rendering that we have here. If we go to the next slide. Oh, >> I think you just click here. >> Oh, >> okay. Sorry. As you can see, um this is where we are with the state of the project. Uh we have a store fourstory building that's going up. Uh based on the rendering that you've seen, uh we've made a lot of great progress. In the background, the foreground there, you see, um the new cafeteria and central P area. um that is still going up there as well. Um this is the back of the building which is going to be the back side of the cafeteria and the fitness area. And you can see the uh shot from the field um that we're using as a layown area currently and the

037four-story building in the background there. This is a view of here. The intent of this is going to be a very large cafeteria area split in two. And we'll be having the trusses very similar to what you see in the library here, media center with the epide. Um that is a concrete floor that's been poured. Uh we are making some good strides here. We're starting to uh put together um the interior classrooms in the addition and you can see two views here. One is the corridors and then one is the view with looking out through the future window uh curtain wall that will be up there. Uh and I'll show you a rendering of the classrooms, one of the classrooms. uh for future lab science rooms. Uh here you see how we're connecting the two

038buildings together. This is a firewall. This is all masonary. Uh the side that you're seeing is the addition. Behind that is the existing building that we are connecting through doorways, walkways. Uh and that firewall is there to protect the buildings and compartmentalize them. And you see the new steel with the fireproofing. To the right, the photograph on the right is the actual new elevator shaft that's going in. and that will be in the addition. We do have an additional elevator that's going into the central prep area uh which is our phase uh 1B that will be coming up. Um I'm going to let Josh who's on my team continue with the milestones and let you know what we've accomplished so far and what we have coming up for milestones that we're going to hear when

039do this. >> I'm Josh Rodriguez. Nice to meet everybody. Thank you for coming out everybody. And so, uh, over the summer, we were able to land 19 of these, uh, HVAC units that, uh, give us the, um, a that, sorry, we landed over the, um, over the summer. We landed 19 units. And, um, so that was a big milestone to complete. And we completed that. It was great. And um ahead of those milestones, we had electrical milestones where we got the transformers and the generator, the fire alarm and the electrical panels up which will give us the electric that we need to continue for the 1B and the and the continuation of the rest of the build out. Looking ahead, we have um these upcoming milestones which will be enclosing the building for the upcoming

040winter and electrical connections for the new to the existing building. We also have the epide that Liz was talking about at the cafeteria and the fitness area and we also going to be landing 11 more units to these areas. And uh we also have the phasing beginning at the summer of 2026 that it leads us into the existing area. And that's about it. >> Does anybody have any questions in regards to construction? >> So we'll we'll go around the table, but the first thing I wanted I I check with Dr. Connell just to make sure, but um for the community to hear on time and on budget right now. So that continues a trend thanks to you guys um as well as our business office and our B&G crew of making sure that our projects

041are on time and on budget for our students. So with that being said, we'll start off with Mr. Moore. Any questions? >> Well, before you begin, um before you begin, um can we get the rest of the members, these other guys standing up, um get to know who they are and what their capacity is? >> Um they're going to >> Yeah. to the presentation. I'll go over our compliance that we didn't mean to jump the gun. >> Yeah. >> So, you're good. Okay. Mr. Pino, >> you know, I want to compliment the your whole team. >> Thank you. >> Um, last evening we had a uh a meeting of the teaching and learning committee. >> Yes. >> At uh it was at the board office and I asked Fred Merritt uh uh one of our

042administrators, how is it coming? how much disruption is it causing? He said very minimal disruption. Construction is never fun. I've been through a number of construction projects in this district, but it's amazing the magnitude of this construction. The uh and the balance would be uh relatively small amount of disruption. There's always disruption, but uh uh it's been held to a minimum. I play >> I have to say that the um Twin Tower staff, the administrative there, they've been wonderful to work with. The teachers, you know, good morning every say good morning. Any disruptions that we have, Josh and I go in there and talk to them, but it's been minimal. You know, they they have a smell or a noise, we address it right away. Um even the building, uh Bill Bartlett and his crew,

043everybody's been phenomenal to work with and everybody's been so patient with everything that's going on outside. Um even the students have been great again a good job. When do we expect uh some of the sections to be >> open? Is there a plan for that? >> Yeah, there's a plan for that and we are um working uh we have of course the addition that we're trying to strive to get that enclosed for this for the winter time. Um but we will have some renovated space in the beginning of the year to start to turn over some of the interior renovated space. >> Okay. We have some egress that we have to work through with that. Um so we'll keep everybody a breast of the timing. >> So >> Thank you Mr. Pino. Mr. Rat. >>

044Now just quickly um things come along really well and we appreciate you guys just giving us um a blueprint of where you're at in the process. Yep. >> Um >> I just wanted to ask a question of um are we on schedule? Are we ahead of schedule? How are we feeling? Do we have a target date? I can't I can't say we're ahead of schedule. >> Um we are progressing at a great you know a great pace. >> Uh we have uh framing going in, mechanicals going in. We have multiple trades you know as you know we have 14 different prime contractors. Um and um we are uh progressing in the in the path that we want to progress. There are some outlying factors that we don't have control over. uh in order for us

045to connect the new addition is we have to do a power shutdown. That power shutdown is going to take a week. So right now we're trying to work through of getting that done by the end of the year. >> Uh pulling all the cables before it gets too cold out and then waiting on ONR, which is a factor that we can't predict. Um, so if we can get O andr and we can get them on schedule and hopefully weather's not an issue, we're we're really striving in that direction. >> Awesome. Thank you. >> You got you don't mind? It's Wal Walter KG&D Architects. I'm just going to jump in on Liz and Josh's behalf. This image that you see is like the key to their big master schedule. If you go in their trailer and

046job site, this is on the wall and there's a bunch of dates associated with it. So, we are on schedule through the work we've completed so far, but to date, we've we're working on the purple area in that image and the blue area in the upper right. So, we have all that red and green to go. And that's the renovation of the existing building. And we know there's going to be some hurdles there. We just don't know how big they're going to be. So, knock on wood, it's going really well right now, but we still still have a long ways to go. >> Awesome. Thank you, Mr. Rat. Mr. Hi, >> would you just refresh for myself with the current building? Where are we with the air conditioning? >> Yeah, you can jump in. >>

047Okay. >> Sure. So, uh, you saw those HVAC units. I think there were 19 of them. >> Yep. We've we've installed the geothermal wells in the field. You remember that was done over a summer. Um so the air conditioning will come online within the existing building as we finish the renovation of those spaces. So the sequence of operations will be construct the addition construct bless you construct the addition create some what we call swing space. So some space for folks to occupy while we work inside the existing building. So the addition needs to open and then once we once we do that we can start renovating existing space and then the air conditioning will come on incrementally throughout the existing building as those spaces are renovated. >> Do you have any idea time on that?

048>> So so the the as I said the phasing that we're doing um the timeline for the one phase a that AC unit uh will be working they'll have it about 30% because we can't fire up the entire building until it gets going. Um, but that phase will be online with the air conditioning, the new air conditioning. So, when we're ready to move into that, that will be air conditioned. >> I know I'm a little ahead of schedule. You know, we're not talking about, but I also know the especially on that third floor, >> it gets hot. Yes, it gets very, very hot. So, >> even during the winter, >> I think I'm sorry. >> Even during the winter, >> no, no, no. The existing building during the winter is fine. But as as you

049remember, we put new windows in and now by code they open about this much, >> right? So I guess this is perfect timing kind of, you know, you'll be able to take advantage of it >> while you don't really need the AC at this. >> Correct. >> No, no, but I just wanted to >> No, she wants to know in the future have it for for >> So you will have that first phase that first phase will have um air conditioning. Okay. When we're ready to turn that over. Um and then uh as well as the cafeteria. And then once we've done that, we'll start the other phases and then that air conditioning because it's not installed. Even though we have the units on the roof, we still have to do the duct work. We

050still have to do electrical, although that plumbing gets connected. So that's why we're working our way around the whole building. >> Um, so you will see that phase that we're turn each phase that we turn over will have air conditioning. >> So, >> thank you. >> You're welcome. >> Thank you, Mr. Bison. And Mr. Lugall. >> Um, for the most part, I just want to say congratulations. It seems like you guys are up on schedule for the most part. Um, I was actually at Twin Towers not too long ago. It was, I think, I believe last Friday. And I was just I was literally just admiring what you guys got going on. I just want to see. >> So, next time you're there, let me know. We'll we'll Josh and I will walk you through

051and show you all the interior space that's going on. >> Sounds great. Wow, there you go. >> Sounds great. >> You missed the last tour that we had put for the board, but happy. >> Thank you. Um, yeah, that would be great. Um, considering I I went to Twin Towers. Um, and look, yeah, just looking at all the plans that you guys have is >> amazing. Great. >> Thank you, Mr. Lugo. Miss Patel. >> Um, I just want to say that what you guys have is really, really cool and I do want to see it. So, I do have a question and this is mostly like a board question, but I just wanted to ask is when would will we be able to like go like to Twin Towers after they're done and be able

052to like see what they've done and like experience it? >> A tour >> like Yeah, like a tour. >> Yeah, >> we'll probably do um a couple of tours before it even gets done. Like progress tours throughout. >> Okay. I just wanted to know. Thank you. >> We'll make sure we do another one this year though before you guys graduate. >> We are also, just so you know, we're building the mechanical room is is going to be an education space. So, it'll be set up so that the students in the building can come and view the mechanical room that's down there. So, they can see all the electrical and all the HVAC systems that are built in. So, >> you guys done some of that already. >> Uh, that's really in great shape. A lot

053of that is in said I'm not going to be here. >> So, we all actually all the equipment is in. We're just doing all of the controls uh to run the system. So, I'm sorry you had another question. >> I was just saying it kind of makes me upset. I'm not going to be a part of this district when I'm finished. But hey, it sounds great. Sounds great. >> Listen, you you can come back when you come to visit during the summer. Like I said, Josh and I are always out standing in the street with our hard hats on. Just come over. We got extra hard hats and vests. We can >> I think you're going to need an extra big hard hat for Mr. Lugo over there. Yeah, I got a lot of hair.

054>> Hey, so Josh. >> Hey, thank you. >> You're welcome. >> Thanks, guys. Pastor Williams, >> um, >> the neighbor of Twin Towers. >> I I don't I don't have any I don't have any questions because I get to see the progress every time I look out my kitchen window. And so, um, uh, uh, this has been a long this has been a long process. And um you know this has been a couple years now from when we started the whole the whole process but to even for it to get to this point um the last tour that we had uh really kind of brought things full circle >> to see to see the progress and to see what's going. So even as I'm watching the steel go up. >> Yep. >> You know that

055excites me. I I look out I look out my look out my kitchen window and I I'm seeing you know I'm seeing steel go up from week to week. So, I've only got one request. Um, I I don't I don't come over and bother you guys at all. Drop off drop a hard hat off for me at my on my front porch. >> Absolutely. >> And I'll make sure there's plenty of extra coffee and hot chocolate on the front porch, too, for you guys when you when you >> when you run out of coffee in the office. Just take two steps over and uh I'll put some extra coffee out for you. >> You got it. Absolutely. >> Thank you, Pastor Williams. >> No. And and yeah, since John said it, yeah, I'll go get

056I'll go down to Daddy's Donuts and we'll get some donuts. Mr. Freddy Williams. >> Yeah. Um, no questions, just a comment. Um, being a lifelong resident of Middletown, um, you know, it's really nice to see that building come back alive. >> Yeah. >> Um, just the structure of the building was awesome. People always talk about, um, you know, the castle look of it and and things of that sort. And just to see the additions, the way it's coming together is really nice. So, I just want to, you know, commend you guys on all your time and energy and effort. Thank you. >> Thank you. And the only comment piggybacking a little bit um on Mr. Freddy Williams that I have to say I think that when this project is done, you guys should submit it

057for an award because taking a building that was built in 1940, that building is now 85 years old and transforming it into a state-of-the-art um educational building that we were told when this board of education at least a decade ago was told, "What are we going to do with Twin Towers?" the options were close it and build somewhere else, um, refurbish this one. Um, but I think one of the telling things I remember from that time was when we were told that if you guys spend the money that you need to spend on this building, it will last you another 80 years. That's how strong this building is. That was the determining factor, I think, for the board at that time that it would be money well spent. So, um, I I think you guys

058at the end of this progress should submit this in for an award because I think this building is going to look outstanding afterwards. >> We'll be very excited to do that when it's done. Uh, and would welcome the opportunity to submit it. Um, this project, if the high school was submitted, it won a New York State award. I think Twin Towers will exceed that. So, >> cool. >> Very good. And you had some additional um items you wanted to present. >> Yes. Before you go there, I want to say thank you. >> I'm so sorry. I >> everything that you're doing. >> Oh my gosh. >> And great updates. Thank you. Great. >> Vice President Romero, it's all you. >> Thank you. [Music] >> So, um I don't want to steal any thunder from Lloyd

059Wendell, but uh Lloyd and Wendell are here from Landon and Ryan. And you may remember when we started this project, there were some very important initiatives that the district wanted to take on relative to community engagement, economic engagement within the region. So with that, I'm going to turn it over to Lloyd and Wendell and let them give you an update as to the impact of this project. >> It's always hard coming after Walt. He's so tall. Good evening, everyone. Thanks for having me. Um I I I would feel blessed to be a part of this project. Seems like it was about three or four years ago when we had the conversation and to see it at this point is definitely great. And Wendell and I are are feel blessed to be have been a part

060of it. The numbers that I'm going to present today are going to be as of July 20 uh 2025. I'm a little too loud. So if you look at the spreadsheet uh the chart on the uh screen the total construction contract value that we uh did the monitoring for was about 80 million and of that we have a MBE which is minority business uh enterprise WBE which is women business and our main focus was on the local utilization uh which you'll see in the green section was very successful on this project. So, of the combined phase one and phase two, you'll notice that the MBE had about a $1.3 million total payout to date. Now, again, this is just paid out to date. This project is still going. This number is going to continue to

061grow, but if you look at the WBE, we're at about seven uh excuse me, 1.6 million has been paid out to the womenowned firms. Um, but the the prize here is the local business uh participation. Uh when we started the project, we wanted the focus not to come from firms out of New New Jersey, New York. We wanted it to be here. So that was our main focus. You could see that's where most of the spend came from at 14 million. Um so that when you look at the goals, uh we had a 9% MBE and a 6% WBE and a 5%. Um collectively, uh as of July, the goals were 20% but they were exceeded so at 21.5%. And again, the project's going to continue. This number is just going to go up from

062here. Project's doing very well. Uh on the local side, um another great point is the workforce. Um if you look at the two, we calculated about 63,000 hours of that. 18 uh,476 were minority hours. Uh women were about 3,670. Uh so that had a goal set of 20% minority and 10% women. Um, collectively, as you could see, the minority was crushed at 29%, 5.8% on the women. In totality, the goal was 30%, but as of July, we were at 34.9%. Um, and that usually goes up when you get into the the building closing up with the finishes and a lot of the local contractors. Um, so the project's doing extremely well. Again, we were blessed to be a part of it and we just hope uh that it continues. Awesome. We also thank you. We

063are a minority own firm ourselves. We do thank you for this. We're passionate about it. Um lot we did about five or six schools. Uh so I seen some school districts that didn't have any numbers. So what the impact is is a a lot of companies coming into your community and they're actually leaving your community where there's no workforce participation in. Enable you doing this is capturing and make sure the people that are in your community and also the kids that parents actually get to work. And we have also seen kids that graduated actually be on your program. So this is not, you know, not always usual, but some of the school district kind of regret that they didn't capture some of those dollars so they could stay within the community. So you guys ped

064me. Thank you. >> So what's the name of your firm and where you guys located? >> Okay. Landon and Ryan. >> Yeah. Yep. It's Landon and Ryan Enterprises. Landon is my son. >> I know cuz I see it. But that way the people out there >> Ryan is my daughter. It used to be Landon New York, but we made it equal opportunity. So we changed the name of the company to land ran enterprise. She'd probably take the company faster than him. >> And where you located out of >> uh we have an office main headquarters in Rochester, New York. We have an office in Syracuse and uh have office in uh uh in the capital district, Albany, New York. But we do have to talk to Steve New House. Have you bring an office down

065to Orange County? >> Okay. Yeah, we definitely question. >> So let me let me jump in real quick. Curtis had a quick he had his answer. >> Quick question and you don't have to go too far into it. I was just curious of what that process looks like when you >> um hire minorities and you know recruit them for this type of project. >> Sure. >> Is I mean what does that look like? >> Yeah, I can give you the quick. So during the at the beginning of the project when it's being bid out, we tell all of the contractors that are prime contractors that there's a goal on the project. So your responsibility is to meet these goals. So we help them as much as we can. there's a New York State database that

066we asked them to pull from. Um, but we actually did something a little special on this. We gave them, I think it was a 50 mile radius. Uh, so they're able to pull from local firms instead of just the firms on the site. And it helped the smaller firms build capacity because historically the smaller firms need that one shot and then they start out with one room and then before you know it, they have two and then they end up doing a building and you build capacity. So this is this is re really helped the team helped uh uh and the administration helped us to help the people to decide what firms to utilize. You know, they're vetted and everything else, but uh it just was it was a good process. And then Syracuse, we

067did it as well. Uh the the superintendent wanted local um certification as well. So it's great to keep the money in the community. >> Pastor Williams, we did a uh >> Thank you. >> Yeah, we did a minority business outreach event. We bring all the minority owned firms and the womenowned firms and with architecture everybody and we do a presentation and we introduce the firms to the prime contractors encourage them to partner and hopefully this is going to go further because a lot of times they don't understand they when they get a chance to meet the MWB firm they like working with them so after this project they may take them on another project. >> Wow that's great >> because the quality of the work. Thank you >> pastor Williams >> on the suppliers also

068>> you know so you know just to talk about the proc talk talk about the process you know I had the privilege I had the privilege of being the president when this project was um was started and um along with Mr. Parino Mr. Corino. Um there was a committee that was set up of all the stakeholders, um teachers, administrators, um community members, um that in the beginning of this project that talked about what were we looking for from this project? Um uh what were the needs, the teachers that were in that building, the administrators that were in that building, um even opportunity to talk with students at that time. And and so one of the big things that we were really, you know, set on was making sure that bringing the scope of this work

069into in into this community and making sure that this community um had some there was some real economic impact for this community and and that's why that's why um we we we contracted with Landon and Ryan because they're the experts in knowing how to bring those things into fruition and and so you you'll find there's even other things there's you know even uh you know jobs, businesses, things like that. It's impacting our community our community. So we're not doing we're not like a you know we're not like some other projects where they're where they're bringing in a whole lot of people from outside but they're making sure that they sit down. There's been numerous meetings over the years and I know we got some new board members that weren't here during the beginning of that

070process. Um, but I I want to encourage you, take some time to go and and look up Landon and Ryan and have some conversation. Um, all of these individuals that are standing here are amazing individuals. We've been doing business with we've been doing business with K&D for KG&D for for a long time. Um, and and they are they are stellar and um, Liz is amazing and and Josh is amaz they're all they're all amazing individuals. Take some time to get to to talk to them and ask your questions. I'm sure that they'll be able to um bring you up to date on everything that's going on and where it's going as well. So, >> thank you, pastor. Anybody else? Mr. Pino, >> piggy back on what uh Bishop Williams said, when the whole project started,

071we insisted on minority participation in this project. And I must say, Mrs. Creed and uh uh superintendent Cedan led the uh led the charge on this if you remember Bishop and we as a whole as a board as a whole uh we said look if it's going to go forward one of the criteria be that we hire locally and we uh we're sure to hire we be sure to hire uh minorities and and create a sense of equity in the projects. So, nice job to the uh to our firm who we uh uh who we hired doing a you're doing great work on on this. So, uh thank you and uh we look forward to seeing it when it's all completed. >> Yeah. >> Anything, Mr. Moore? >> I got to say I have a

072quick comment because I actually do recall when you first came here and presented. So to see facts after a couple of years of what the work has been um implemented as far as the the collaboration and you know the drive to make sure that the you know the local and minority businesses are given a shot at the project is great to see. So it's good to see the numbers reflecting what you guys have spoke about in the beginning. So thank you. >> Thank you Mr. Moore. Mr. Bison anything >> Mr. go. Anything, >> Miss Patel? >> You're good. Vice President Rometo, >> thank you. >> Awesome. Just a quick question. Are you guys going to be at >> I have one more statement? Um, >> we actually have two Middletown graduates working on a project.

073Uh, they came graduated through Middletown and they went through the electrical apprentice program and they were actually on site working every day with us. >> That is Yes, they went through the Boseies program. So, >> that's awesome. were at the top of their class and now they're on this project. So, >> and I think during our our last building tour, you mentioned that that you like and that's one of the reasons why you try to encourage the students to go see the mechanical room. >> Absolutely. >> And stuff so they can connect with it. So, awesome. Are you guys going to be at the NISBA conference this week? >> Oh, >> all right. >> We'll stop by and say hi. >> I think you should put up pictures of Middletown up there. Just saying. Just

074Just saying. >> Just Just saying. K KG&D always >> No pressure always have stuff up. >> I've got some other districts because I'm the area 9 director. I've got some other districts that been inquiring right now um about about um who we use. >> Yeah. >> And so I I'm I'm I'm bringing them to the table. I'm going to bring people to the table. >> Mr. Pino just mentioned about the onset of this and you know the the vision to to implement this program and I remember a lot of debate internally within the team. You know, I do a lot of construction projects. I think I know what's going on. And uh Lloyd mentioned the goals and we set these goals and Lloyd and Wendell, they look like nice guys right here, right? They're smiling,

075very agreeable. They were not agreeable. They were very they had very determined about the goals for this district and they set the bar very high and they beat it. They exceeded it. So very proud about that and these guys did a great job. >> Awesome. Thank you guys. Thank you. >> Appreciate it. Thank you very much. Uh we'll move on on our agenda and head on over to our student board member reports. The highlight of the night. Who's leading off tonight? >> Miss Patel. >> Um good evening everyone. I just want to go back to what acting superintendent Miss Odoma said about um this week is red ribbon week and basically it is technically drug awareness week. Um me and Eden had the opportunity and the honor to be a part of it and help

076bring awareness to students to be drug free. So, we had a table set up near the old cafe where we would welcome students and tell them to sign a pledge to show that they are drug-free. And with that paper that they signed, we hanged it up right on the wall near the old cafe. And that wall, let me tell you, is filled up with signatures. And that's what we really want to see. So, >> awesome. >> Yeah. And um additionally, I just wanted to talk about homecoming. Um, so I was helping the student council with homecoming and like with the ticket process and we had like literally 500 people and that is a max for homecoming. So that was very good. And I just also wanted to appreciate the um NH NHS volunteers who helped

077set up for prom for the decorations and just helping out with and with the staff in general. I really appreciate it because it looked really nice. Um, last but not least, I just wanted to say, and I said this last board meeting, but me and Eden both are working towards being a familiar face with the school district because I always go by if somebody sees your face more than once a day, they're more willing to talk to you because you are a familiar face within the school. So, I'm always trying, me and Eer are always trying to like put ourselves out there. So, for students to be able to talk to us and reach us at any time. Thank you. >> Nice job. Thank you, Miss Patel. Mr. Lugo. >> Yes. Um, last time we

078were here, we were on our way into our homecoming game against Pine Bush, which luckily for us, we won. We we claimed our victory. Um, then the following Saturday, Neapor and I were at homecoming. It it like like she said, it looked really nice. Um, I commend everybody in NHS that stood that took time and dedicated their own personal time to set up and help us. Um, and now we're going through Red Ribbon Week. Today was twin day. Um, and this whole week we're just going to be outside of the cafeteria right by the big glass window with a table just um encouraging people to sign a pledge to to spread their um to spread their MIDI pride in being drug free and to show that us midies are are >> drugree. >> Yeah, we're

079drug free. We're >> Yeah, we're aware of the cause. We're here. We're here like promoting the necessities of what it means to be drug free. Um, yeah, it's just been great this past since we last spoke. Um, I haven't had really much to say. Thank you. >> Awesome. Thank you. Sorry. Um, Friday I was at Twin Towers with a few of >> a few selected students. I believe it was seven of us total. We went to speak to Twin Towers sixth graders >> just to give them it was just a student panel for us to just talk to them and give them guidance for their next years. And it was it was great. I wish I had photos and videos and um recollection from it. I think it's posted up on Facebook like some pictures

080and stuff. But let me tell you something. Being there talking to these sixth graders was surreal. sitting there like in the back of my head thinking I used to be just like these kids right here like and >> camera the next picture. >> Yeah, I I try. >> No, but yeah. Um I even had a little section where I stood up and I talked directly to a young boy. I forgot his name, but he asked me a really a really important question and it was what made me cuz because I spoke about how in Twin Towers I used to get into trouble and he asked me what made me change and what what motivates me to continue to change and I feel like that really stuck with me cuz I haven't thought about something like

081that since I've been like with I have all have had all this change and it was just like it was is great. This this year has been going great so far. But yeah, thank you. >> The sunny side's always better than the dark side. Remember that. So, we'll move on to our community engagement updates and we'll start off with Pastor Williams this time on this side. You good? You ready for your conference, your big conference? You ready for the big conference coming up? I was going I was going to say that for community for committee reports, but >> it's up to you. Whichever. >> Yeah, I I'll wait. I'll wait to committee reports. >> Okay. >> Yeah. Thank you. >> Uh Mr. Moore. >> Yeah. Um great. So, thank you. I'm going to uh start

082this off with the uh there's a kickoff uh event taking place. Uh the Red Ribbon, as everyone has mentioned, Red Ribbon kickoff uh ceremony is a uh countywide red ribbon kickoff. Uh some of our kids from Mont Hagen will be participating and traveling to Goan High School to participate in the kickoff event. Um then it will lead to our PTO. Just want to keep reminding the public that the dates for the town hall PTO are on the screen. Please take a screenshot and save it. Um and definitely looking forward to a continued uh participation from the community attending the PTO. Lastly, uh this I believe it was yesterday, I attended, let me get the screen. There's some photos I've taken, collaged, put together. The seniors, we have tremendous amount of seniors on the girls soccer

083team. Um and all the parents and supporters have came out to support them. They end up in a tie, double overtime tie, uh versus Port Jervis. Definitely was a good time last night to be able to witness that in the cold, but it was good. Um, but definitely what the highlight was seeing all the parents and the supporters and and their friends celebrating them on senior night. Um, you have a definitely a talented group and definitely would love to see what the future holds for the girls soccer team. Thanks. >> Thank you, Mr. Moore, Mr. Parino. >> Thank you, President Estrada. Nicole Tagy, she was not in attendance tonight. Should she have a letter of counsel? Well, the answer is no because Nicole Tagy has arranged and organized a series of special service caregiver training

084and that's where she was tonight at the presidential park. There's the first series is knowing your rights and preparing for CSE meetings. So, congratulations to Nicole. I'll talk about I'll talk about the variety of programs at a later meeting, but I just wanted to make that known. >> It's good. >> I think Nicole Tagney and her staff do an excellent job with that special ser the special ed program at uh Twin and the kids are really making progress and I I'll discuss that at another time and I have evidence uh as I read the uh uh reports each week that uh Mrs. Montree keeps me going on that. So, now to Presidential Park. They're doing some neat things in Presidential Park. Um, can you put that up? The Star Leader Awards. The Star Leader Awards

085at Presidential Park. There are some of the uh uh bracelets that are given. This is a a a program. It reminds me of the program at the high school, the Breakfast of Champions. uh one student from each classroom is nominated for the award and then they're celebrated at a student awards assembly. The students not only have those bracelets but there's uh Deian Lester the principal giving them uh ice cream treats. So uh there's a criteria there's a number of criteria for this award. uh they have to demonstrate a strong work e work ethic, self-discipline. They has to uh encourage a uh atmosphere free from violence, intimidation, bullying and harassing. They have to act during the school day with kindness and empathy. And when they're in the building, they have to they have to be role

086models. have to be respectful, courteous, and polite. So, nice job. And in addition to that, the Star Leader program uh Presidential Park invited the members of the Middletown Fire Department uh to the school. There's truck three, the Manhagen truck. That's truck three. The midi bear is there. And uh uh the students had a a very they had an excellent time. Any more shots? There you go. Another fire engine. Kids love fire engine. There's a Manhagen truck in the the traditional Manhagen truck, the traditional color of the Manhagen truck. There's again the truck three, the McCoys. And uh it was a very very nice day. There's different midi bears for the occasion. That's the elementary midi bear. So, nice job to the people at Presidential Park. This coming Thursday, they're going to have a red ribbon

087assembly. I got a note from uh uh Delila Quintonus, one of the administrators at the building. So, that should be another uh uh excellent program. Thank you. I'm done. My time's almost over. You sure you still had a minute 20 left? >> We had time before. >> Okay, that's it. I can go on, but we'll cover it next time. >> Okay, Mr. Pino, Mr. Rat. >> Okay, good evening. Um, I just wanted to um continue to share on um Hispanic History Month. Um have a couple of uh things that need to come up on the screen. If they don't, it's okay. But um again um with at the Malbury House, the senior citizen center. Um he had some great activities there with the seniors dancing and having a good time. Very festive, very cultural. There's

088my daughter. And um I don't know if it came up, but I know my my wife sung a song there as well. And um If we don't get it, we'll catch it the next time. So, um, yep, that's about all. Thank you. >> Thank you, Mr. Rep. Mr. Bison. >> Nothing to report. >> Thank you, Mr. Bison. Mr. Lugo, any community stuff you'd like to report on? >> I mean, you don't have to. It's up to >> You don't have to. We're not forcing you. >> Yeah. >> Um, yeah. I mean, other than just going around talking to the just like the kids throughout the building, just like connecting with them, making them making myself known and like letting them know like I'm some like I'm a safe person to come to. If you have

089a problem, like it doesn't matter what your problem is. Even if it's like something at home, you could just come to me and talk. Like I'm I'm one of those people. I'll just sit there and I'll just listen. Like you could you could sit talk for these four minutes exactly and I'll just all ears. But yeah, that's as much I've just been just acting, seeing how everybody feeling, collecting my own type of information on student health and morale. >> Great. Thank you, Mugo. Miss Patel. >> Um, I just wanted to go back to what Eden said, just like being like a helping hand to all like students in our district. We just want them to be familiar like that we're here for them and that we're always here for them. and whenever they want to

090talk, we're going to be available for them whenever we do have the time, anytime. Um, I also just wanted to say that there is a trunk or treat for NHS. It's going to be maybe a week from now and it will be located near the board of ed as well. >> Thank you, Miss Patel. Vice President Romero, >> Mr. Lugo, I got you with pictures from Twin Towers. So, um, Twin Towers, um, sixth graders got to hear from a panel of Middletown High School students. Here are some of the pictures, including our very own student board member, Edah. >> Hey. Hey. >> Good. and I heard you represented us very well too. >> So, thank you. >> Yeah, that's all I got today. Thank you. >> So, um one of the things I did want

091to remind folks is how real world stuff affects even a high school. So unfortunately we had our uh uh naval NJOTC in annual inspection um cancelled because of the shutdown, the government shutdown. People don't sometimes understand the impact it has on your local communities and in this case a great program. So hopefully that'll be rescheduled once the government opens back up. Um thank you to uh building principal uh Mrs. Jensen for sending me some information in regards to Carter. Uh they started last week their leader and me launch rally. Um and they were highlighted on Facebook on the school district's website um with a mini minute showing some of the programs that they had over there including the what looked to be the marching mitties were there presenting the students. Um they also started hosting

092their classroom show and shine family visitation events as part of the building's goal uh within their legacy plan. Uh and that included the fourth graders presenting to their parents their insect projects. How would you have liked that? That would have been fun. Maybe we'll have them bring a couple of those insect projects here during the meeting. But um according to Miss Jensen, the turnout over at Carter was amazing. So, we looked for some more uh stuff coming out of the future out of Carter um elementary as well. So, thank you for from Mrs. Jensen. Um the uh football um program, the Midi Bears all of a sudden have won a couple of games in a row. The Midi Bears have qualified for the football section 9 football playoffs. They play this Friday. They play their

093last two games of the regular season at home, including on Friday. Um, the game on Friday against Our Lady of Lords will be preceded by a dedication for the Dick Wilslayer plaque that is now been installed opposite of the Ed Fowler Fowler plaque um on one of the columns to Wolslayer gate. So, the Wils Slayer family has been invited. They will be attending. Um unfortunately many of the board members will be down in New York City on Friday for the upcoming NISBA convention. Um but you know um if you get a chance to get down there early if and you're listening please give a shout out to the Wolf Slayer family for all that coach did for our particular community. And it's a a beautiful plaque. I look forward to board members as they head

094down to the stadium in a future event to take a look um at that as well. great numbers from homecoming uh that you guys just gave as well. And then my final thing is folks out there, if you can say a couple of prayers for our brethren down in the Caribbean. Um they are expecting some major major issues, especially in Haiti and Republica Dominicana. Um probably feet of rain coming over the next few uh days starting this weekend. So, please say a couple of extra prayers for areas of the world that really can't handle a lot of natural disasters. So, um that includes Haiti, the Dominican Republic, Jamaica, Cuba, um and Grand Cayman as well. So, please say a couple of prayers for our brethren down there as well. And that's all I have for

095community updates. So, we'll move on to our committee reports. And given that NISBA is coming up quick, I'll hand it over to Pastor Williams for the report on the NISBA convention. Um just real quick before I do that, I did I as I'm sitting here and thinking, I also want to make sure that um um we recognize that this is also breast cancer awareness month. Um as as well as domestic violence awareness awareness month and um as you speak about the Caribbean um uh Caribbean is my dascese. So that's my dascese that I that I um I work in uh the Eastern Caribbean Council of Nations for the Pentecostal Assemblies of the World. And so yeah, so we're preparing we're preparing for um that storm. So yeah, it's appropo to um remember um that there's

096real life going on out there. Um uh the NISBA the NISBA annual Let me start with the NISBA annual business meeting which was held on the 16th. Um, for those of you that received my newsletter, my area 9 newsletter, um, which was sent out, I believe it was yesterday, uh, you'll see all of this information there. But, uh, nearly 350 delegates participated in the 2025 annual business meeting. um considering 37 proposed resolutions that were submitted by the July submission deadline. 23 were recommended by the resolutions committee and 14 not recommended. Um by the end of the evening, delegates adopted 24 positions. Um you'll be able to go onto the NISB website and click to see exactly everything that was adopted. Um the delegates also elected officers for the 2026 calendar year. Uh Christine Schnars from

097area three will will be stepping in as the president. Rodney George from area two as the first vice president. Brian uh Brian Lerette from area 8 which is just north of area 9 as the second vice president and Thomas uh Nesp Nespeka as the treasurer. So congratulations to that. The the convention starts on on uh Thursday. Actually starts on Thursday. Um uh so it will be the 20th through the 25th. It's going to be held at the New York Hilton Midtown. Uh it's the annual NISBA convention and education expo. So um go there's going to be it's going to be a great experience. Um there's also the digital experience which um some of you will be participating in that won't be able to go to the convention. So uh but I think that you'll have

098a good time. They're going to try to do everything they can to record as many of the uh uh uh presentations as possible so that uh you'll be able to go back and watch them. That's one of the things that was uh when it came to the digital experience. Um the conversation that we had was about making sure that we um amp up the amount and the number of the digital experiences so that um more people can participate um in that. Um lastly, lastly, um I know that at the beginning of the year, at the beginning of the year in our reorg meeting, we uh uh we approve uh to be able to join um uh different groups. Um, I I want to request request um tonight tonight um as we're getting set to go

099to the to the convention um that we we it's now time to go ahead and rejoin up with the Black Caucus of school board members. Traditionally, we have joined up not individually, but we've joined up as a as a um as a district. Um the the um the caucus is is under under new leadership. Um but they also hold a position on the NISSBA board. So uh it's it's great support. It's good to to connect with um good to connect with uh uh those from other districts um and uh be able to collaborate and talk and encourage each other in our shared experiences in this um work of education. That's all I have to say. I I'll see you all down there. >> Great. Can I get a quick um Who's going down Wednesday night

100or is everybody >> your Wednesday, Andrew, your Wednesday also? Your Wednesday and Friday and your Wednesday is not going to make it. I'm going very late Wednesday. >> You're going late Wednesday. All right. I'm going to go down Thursday very very early morning. Um Mr. Parino, you're doing virtual, I think, correct? Yeah. and Camille's going to do some of the sessions as well um on there. So um everybody did sign up for the Oxa dinners Thursday and Friday >> and there's going to be other dinners too. We're Yeah, I hope you all signed up for Oxa. >> So we're all signed up for that and um everybody knows that we have a lunch that's Friday >> the Yeah, Friday afternoon we have the small city um Yes. Turn on your mic. >> The small city

101lunch event will be at the Cornell Club. Um that's from that's Friday at Friday 11:45 to 1 till you're done. >> Yeah. >> And you have a dinner oxa dinner that same night at 4:45. So something that we learned last year >> for the small city one lunch is that we may have to if we're in a seminar before that I would suggest leaving that seminar earlier and walk because you have to walk to the Cornell Club and last year when we got there it was packed. There was very unless they've changed the room which it doesn't sound like they have. It's >> not changed the same room. >> It's a very small room with not a lot of seating. So we need to get there. we'll get together as a group and we'll walk

102over early enough, but it's a great it's it's a perfect lunch for us because of the fact that we're dealing with school districts who are like Middletown um at that small city one. So, just be aware of that that will coordinate. Also, um I'll start to put together um like a text chat group of the group that's going to be in the city so we can if for some reason in all the chaos we don't get to talk to each other um we'll know where which seminars we can pick so we're not duplicating seminars and that way we can give reports back to the board in subsequent meetings. um do that so that way we're not showing up with seven board members to one seminar and then none of the other ones are are covered.

103Um >> for mentioning that >> uh Mr. Estrada because I know there's been other um workshops that our board members have gone to and past practices was always that there would be a report written and discussed at a board meeting and I hope they go back to that for those of us who are unable to be present um at We'll do that. I think one of the some of the summer ones that we went to with leadership other business matters kind of got in the way. We weren't able to do some of the committee reports that we historically have done in the past. >> I think we just got away from it even last year too. Okay. So, >> but yeah, that that's a good idea. And because of the fact that um you know

104we have everybody's going to be attending either virtually or in person maybe what we'll do is we'll break it up with a couple of board members like three board members I'll do at one meeting and then the next three we'll do at the following meeting on the seminars. So that way it's spread out since we're not get we don't want to be here till you know 10 o'clock talking about the NISBA convention. Um, also I think I think you um you'll be able to download um download the um app so that you'll be able to get all of your um the list of everything of all of the um offerings uh as well as the floor floor plan layout for the expo floors. um you'll know where everything is at if so if you when

105you get down there um you'll be able to download the app onto your phone and they'll get you the login information so that when you when you get registered in so all right thank you and I just and uh thank you uh Mrs. Montrey for reminding me so um the award for the New York State school board >> member of the year which is our own Mr. Parino Right. >> I mean, people, you know, it's sometimes hard when people don't understand the concept of of the board conventions and everything. How much of a prestigious award this really is. There literally will be, you know, over a thousand people in this ballroom and their attentions will be on Mr. Parino at 8:30 in the morning on um Friday morning. So, it's important for us to be

106there. My guess is that on that morning, all of us as Middletown delegates will sit together along with our brethren from around Orange County um to watch it. You know, Mr. Parino unfortunately can't be there in person, >> but he has a little surprise for us that we'll see when we get down to New York City. So, uh God bless you. Congratulations again, Mr. Parina. >> Y Thank you, Mrs. Mer. So, we'll go around um other committee reports. Anything on audit, Mr. Bison? >> Facilities. Mr. >> Parino policy. Mr. >> Rat >> microphone. microphone. >> Nothing at this point. We're going to be um sitting down coming up with a date for our next um meeting. We had a um teach and learn committee meeting um yesterday and that went very well. Uh we had

107um the literacy and staff um people um that are part of um uh Mr. Domas um team and they presented you know on um all grade levels, elementary, middle school as well as high school um what the pilots the pilots that they have been working on as it pertains to the literacy program as well as the math program, the textbooks. It was very um extensive and it was very um productive. And so um I guess at some point maybe they'll share some of that stuff with um >> That's right. I'm sorry. Rose was there as well as um my colleague here John. So um >> that was that may I >> Yeah, please. >> That was some meeting. I I uh sent an email last night to uh acting superintendent uh Camille there. Um the

108program that the ELA program that we've adopted now, it was on a trial last year. Um, I looked at the workbook that the those our students are using. Phenomenal. Phenomenal. The math I flunked. That was very difficult. When I looked at seventh grade math, it's the math I took in high school. But the ELA, the it's just phenomenal. Um, I asked about it for middle school um just to see if we could have a continuum there. And you know, it's something that perhaps we will need to invest in. Um, I don't I'm not prophesizing. I'm not sure we'll see ELA results this year, but I guarantee in two years you're going to see some ELA results on the state test. I'm putting my neck on the line, but but it was a phenomenal meeting. It

109was one of the best meetings. >> Let's put it this way. It will not be for a lack of effort, that's for sure. Oh, it it's right. No, I can't say enough about it. I'm still talking about it and thinking about it. Mr. Parino wasn't happy with me, but he, you know, yelled at me for being so overenthusiastic. Yeah. >> But wasn't that the >> Oh, good. Mr. Mr. Rat, it's your >> No, I just want to also um take the time to um I sent an email to Mr. Odoma as well. um over the past few years I've been on this committee and I mean on this um board and you know her attention to detail as it pertains to curriculum instruction and the team that she's assembled um you know our kids are

110in good shape um as Rose was saying there's um you know the program that's rolled out literacy as well as math you know it's very studentfriendly as well and so yeah >> awesome Mr. Po, you wanted to add something? >> Just piggyback on what uh Rose and and Curt said on that uh committee. Uh some of our finest instructors were there, Tiffany Hall, uh Fred Merritt, Terry Mccarinan, and Robin P. And I I want to uh you you mentioned the math and the ELA. Uh I want to just uh mention the program that Robin uh P has instituted at the >> high school. Uh a cooperative program is sort of in its uh organization stages and even more so uh with Orange County Community College Sunni at Orange. And what is going to happen eventually

111hopefully is that uh our uh high school students can earn before they uh graduate from high school an associate degree from Sunni Orange. uh a number of our instructors uh have interviewed and there's a rigorous interview uh process to become a an instructor at Sunni Orange and uh Robin P pointed this out. Uh one of the one of the uh uh elements of this is that the courses are also pretty tough but uh that's what it takes to get a an associate uh degree. So uh from uh Sunni Orange. So I think this has great possibilities and I want to encourage encourage the high school and uh Camille to keep on this and I'm sure you will and you did a nice job by the way miss as Kurt Rep mentioned uh Mrs. Adamo at

112the uh at that meeting organizing it. So was a very productive meeting. >> Thank you. >> Great. Thank you Mr. Pino. Um, anything on diversity? I know Dr. De Jesus is not here today, but uh, Miss Crawford, >> we have our, uh, first meeting November 13th. The invitations have gone out. It's at 5:30 at the board of ed office. It's our first meet and greet and then we will review the plan for the remainder of the year and get some ideas going and recruitment ideas. >> Great. Thank you. Um, district safety. Mr. Parino, you have anything from there? I know the chair is Mr. Z at at the homecoming game. Uh, can't say enough about good things about our security staff there. They they always do a fine job. And I stand up or I

113stood up near the entrance and looked at the uh the process of getting individuals into the stadium, spectators and so on. it it was running very well, much better than uh last year. Uh and that goes it because of the two new systems, the two new security systems. And that goes also for uh uh students uh gaining access to the high school. I think you could agree it's a it's improvement. Are things perfect? No, not 100% perfect, but it's really come a long way. So that's that's my report. We'll be having a full meeting soon. And if anyone wants to join the safety and security committee and the facilities committee, please uh uh please uh let uh myself or mrs know and we'll take care of that. Thank you. >> Cool. Thank you, Mr. Pino.

114I think that's important to know about the stadium security too because we do have um starting probably the end of next week and all the way through the beginning of December all of the section 9 championships for soccer the state chop uh soccer championships and the football championships are coming up as well. So there'll be a lot of folks headed down to the stadium uh this winter. um some of our uh for Boseies that's myself as the board liaison. Uh just want to you know the superintendent over at Boseies, Mrs. Heepus wanted me to uh remind us um that she's been helping out our business office when needed and uh we thank them um for whatever help that they can provide. Um city of Middletown, Miss Tobias, anything or Pastor Williams? >> No, the meeting

115was Sir. >> Oh, okay. >> How about Tana Walkill, Mr. Parino? Anything? >> No, nothing. Just >> It's election time, so you know it once in a while. >> No, I got a phone call from a council member to remind me that there was And I said, "It's all right. Go to bed." >> And I missed the last OXPA meeting. Um I went to the beginning of it and uh that was counselors. Yeah. Yeah. one of our our own counselor from Twin Towers was there. It was an awesome presentation, but I think Dr. De Jesus gave us an update at the last meeting. So, um and that's all we've got. I think anything with MBK, Mr. Rat, that you're aware of? >> Anything with MBK that you're aware of coming up? >> Or Mr. Lugo,

116if you have anything? >> No, nothing with MBK. >> Um yeah, not Yeah, not this time. Yeah, we quiet for now. Um, so again, the board of education will be um leaving uh to starting tomorrow for the New York State School Boards Association conference that'll last until Saturday. Uh, we are very well represented. I commend all of my brethren uh for taking time out of their busy schedules to go down and and learn about what's going on around the state. Um, National Hispanic College Fair is Thursday. This Thursday, October 23rd, here at the high school, we have Latino Heritage Celebration Assembly at Manhagen Middle School on Friday, October 24th. Twin Towers Movie Night, Friday, October 24th at 4:00. They're showing Tim Burton's Corpse Bride. The Autumn Craft Fair fundraiser is on Saturday from 9 to

1174 at the high school gym. The John Bighgam Memorial Scholarship Night is Tuesday, October 28th at 6:30 at the high right here at the media center. The district fall trunk retreat will be on Wednesday, October 29th. That's at between the board office near the softball field and the high school from 4:30 to 6. College and career parent night is coming up a week from tomorrow, October 29th at six o'clock at the high school. The MHS panel that was at Twin Towers that you saw our own Mr. Lugo take part in. We'll now move on to Mhagen next Thursday, October 30th. Uh the Latino Heritage Celebration Assembly for Twin Towers will be on Friday, October 31st on Holly Halloween. Countywide Superintendent Conference Day will be Tuesday, November 4th. There will be no school for students on

118that day. So once again, Tuesday, November 4th, no school for students. That's a superintendent conference day. And then we have family game night on Wednesday, November 5th. That's at all of the elementary schools. So busy, busy, busy over the next two weeks. Our next school board meeting, remember, has been changed from Thursday, November 6 to Wednesday, November 5th. Um 5:15 for early exec 6:30 public participation. Um at this time, I'll take a motion to adjourn. Motion by Mr. Tobias and seconded by Mr. Rhett. All those in favor? I. Any opposed? Motion carries. 800. Everybody have a blessed evening.