001Thank you. >> All right. All right. Good evening, everyone. Welcome to our November board meeting. If we can rise for the pledge of allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, liberty, justice for all. I just wanted to thank on behalf of the board um and recognize uh that our custodial staff did a great job on election day. Uh appreciate how everything was uh run very smoothly with our parent teacher conferences and having a lot of uh movement in the building and also great job with Halloween, the trunk or treat uh the parades. Uh it was a very busy and uh a fun time for all the students. And I'll hand it over to Dr. Siniac. Thank you. >> Thank you,
002President Ryan. Welcome to our November Board of Education meeting. This meeting is very special each year because we are honoring our board of education members. If you take a look, each of them has a cooler bag. So, with the temperature in this room, our theme tonight is our board is so cool. [laughter] Megan Ryan, our board president and the board president at the Central High School District. No one keeps it chill like you do. Thank you for wearing so many hats. You might need a wool one right now. And keeping everything cool and under control while doing it. Your leadership, balance, and dedication to our school community are all greatly and truly appreciated. Thank you, Ed Corona, a VP who goes the extra mile on the track and in our schools. Thank you for going
003the distance, serving on two boards as well, leading with dedication and all always keeping things cool along the way. We appreciate your commitment and energy, although you're limping today because you were playing with your wife pickle ball. [laughter] Tracy Miller, by day you teach, by night you lead, and you keep it cool the whole way. Thank you for all you do for our students and our school community. Your dedication, thoughtfulness, and sincerity inspires us all and makes a lasting impact each and every day. Mary Keane, from your leadership on the board to your hands support with the PTAs, we appreciate your dedication. Thank you for keeping our school community cool and connected and always informed on all of the wonderful activities that bring us together and help our students thrive. Stephen Neller, our longest serving
004trustee. Still looking cool over there, Steve, after all these years. [laughter] Your years of service and commitment to our board have set a remarkable example. We appreciate your many years of service and for keeping your cool through every challenge and triumph. Will Luchiani, a trustee who knows the law but always keeps his cool. We're grateful for your sharp mind and calm, cool, and collected leadership. Your expertise, judgment, and thoughtful approach help keep our board balanced, confident, and composed. And last, but certainly not least, Kathy Moran to a trustee who knows the ropes and always keeps it cool. Whether turning pages in a good book or at a board meeting, your years of experience working in the district give you a unique understanding of all that happens behind the scenes. We are grateful for the insight
005you bring, the steady guidance you offer, and the informed perspective you share with our board. Thank you all for your commitment and always keeping it cool. >> Thank you. [applause] >> And I know there's some people here in the audience that also have some cool things to share about our board of education. We would like Who's coming up first? >> Okay, come on up. Good evening members on behalf of the G Avenue Road and SEPTA. I wanted to take a moment to be thankful [laughter] that you do for us. You work hard behind the scenes to make sure our school runs smoothly, our teachers are supported, and our students have the best opportunities to learn and to grow. Like bees in a hive, you each have an important role, and together you create something amazing.
006Thank you for your dedication, teamwork, and all the buzzworthy things you do to make our school so awesome. We truly appreciate you and thank you for helping us thrive in our hearts. [applause] >> Very thank you very much. >> Thank you. I don't know how I didn't notice that. Thank you. >> Thank you so much. >> Next. >> Yeah, a lot of people here. Who do we have? NMFA and our supervisors association. >> Okay. on >> good evening on on behalf of the North Mer Faculty Association. You need higher platforms. [laughter] >> On behalf of the North American administrative unit, CSEA unit, and the par profofessionals unit, we are here to express our appreciation for everything that our board of education provides. Your leadership ensures that we have the tools, resources, and support we need
007to give our students the very best. We know that this doesn't happen by accident. It happens because of your dedication, your time, and your commitment to our schools. At the same time, we recognize that in these challenging economic times, not every family in our community has access to even the most basic necessities. That reality reminds us how important it is to support one another both inside and outside of our school walls. In your honor and in the spirit of gratitude and service, we have made a donation of seven bags of groceries, one for each of our seven board of education members, to the Belmore community cupboard. This donation reflects the nourishment you provide our district and we hope it also pro brings nourishment to the families who need it most. And because your leadership is
008truly sweet to the North Merit community, we also wanted to give each of you a small token of thanks. Please accept these jars of honey as a symbol of the warmth, kindness, and sweetness you bring to our schools each [laughter] and every day. Thank you for all that you do for North Merrick. We truly appreciate you. >> Thank you. >> [applause] >> Thank you so much. [cheering] >> Thank you. That is very nice. >> We got for Will. Yes. >> What were the odds? >> And I had this at the grocery store yesterday. >> Thank you very much. >> That was very sweet. >> So on behalf of the board of education, thank you very much. Um on a personal I'd like to thank my colleagues. It's a pleasure to serve you uh serve with
009you and I appreciate all your time and your leadership. Um it's truly this is one of the best boards I've ever been on and I uh I appreciate it. And of course Dr. Siniac and Joanne, thank you for keeping everything running smoothly. So on that note, let's get back to having things run smoothly. Um if I have a motion to approve our routine approvals 4 A through 4 C. >> Motion by Mary, second by Tracy. All in favor? I. Motion carries. Will vote. Note that Will also voted in favor. Um, yep. >> Public comments on agenda items only as uh listed on the agenda 5A. Do we have any public commenters for agenda items only? Um, moving along as there are none. We have a motion to approve 6A through 6D. >> Motion by Kathy,
010second by Tracy. All in favor? I. >> And we'll again uh votes in the affirmative. Motion carries unanimously. A motion to approve our personnel action reports at 7A. Motion by Mary, second by Tracy. All in favor? I. Motion carries unanimously. We heard that one, Will. I heard that. Yes. Um our motion to approve our policies as listed in 8A by Tracy, second by Mary. All in favor? I. Motion carries unanimously. A motion to approve 9A, our special services. Motion by Kathy. Second by Steve. All in favor? I. And now that brings us to our report of the committees. Um uh Mr. Corona, can you you please present the high school report? Y. >> Great. >> Thank you. >> Okay. Our last meeting, uh November 5th, uh we had board appreciation day as well. Uh the
011ma'am's vocal group word of mouth performed for us and the art department presented the board with rocks painted and inspired by the book Scribble Stones. We also had our annual external audit review. Alan U of Cullandowski LLC presented the board with an unqualified opinion which is the best you can have. Uh prior recommendations have been revisited and they were satisfied. One note that our food services fund had a very large surplus. Um he spoke about partly due to free lunch from the state and other aspects. Overall district was at the legal limit of 4% for unassigned fund balances. Our total fund balances are at 20% of total expenditures, which is very good. Uh less than 10% is a low fund balance indicator. During public comment, we had a parent who got up and raised concerns
012regarding opportunities for vocal performers and their groups and also the lack of recognition from the district and the board of education. >> That's it. >> Thanks for ending on a positive note there. I would put that first, but okay. [laughter] Um, school community relations and PTA council machine. [clears throat] PTAs continue to be busy. Camp Avenue, the book fair was went smoothly. Red Ribbon Week was fantastic. Yoga was the favorite among the kids. Fall festival ran smoothly as well and the kids had a great time. Reflections was extended uh to November 20th. Holiday boutique is on December 10th. Tap room staff lunch is scheduled for November 24th. And that's food only. Uh for that international night was a great success. Parents night out is on November 15th at Cassid's. Carnival night uh nove is November
01320th. Miss Chocolate ended on the 24th. Exceeded last year's sales and goals. Uh night to connect was a Chipotle fundraiser on October 23rd and um raised $662. Upcoming events include Barclays, Harlem Globe Trotters, Ringling Brothers, Raise Wright gift cards, the sixth grade parents night out is scheduled for November [clears throat] 21st. And um the Camp FP PTA has locked in Malkees uh for April 16th for their spring auction. At FET, reflection started October 6th and is running through November 14th. The Nassau County Police Department visited to talk about being drug-free at the end of October. On the 30th for Red Ribbon Week, we had a Native American history assembly on November 6th. Our fall festival and Halloween Halloween parade were a huge success. Ended our day with an all school assembly with Jester Jim. Some
014of the new clubs available this year include math Olympians, Scratch Coding Club, Mindfulness Club, Drama Club, and Chess Club. Adventureland on October 17th was a great night out. The raiseight gift card fundraiser has started. Our holiday boutique is scheduled for December 5th. The winter breakfast is set for December 6th. And our next FET's next PTA meeting is virtual on November 19th. Uh Old Mill Road book fair was very successful. They're reviewing we're reviewing the possibility of a booknook vending machine with Scholastic dollars, but there's a long way to go with that. The photo shoot was uh relaxed and calm and thoroughly enjoyed by all. Red ribbon week was uh celebrated and successful. The yoga instructor was one of the students favorite parts of the week. Fall festival was a big success. Looking forward to the
015winter breakfast on December 6th and the holiday boutique on December's 4th and 5th. United States fundraiser will take place next Friday from 4 to 6 pm and um so far 15 students participating in reflections at Old Mill Road. And for SEPTA, the sensory tables at the fall festivals were a huge success. Spooky circus interactive shows was enjoyed by all. Students wore their Halloween costumes for the occasion. Gobble gobble bingo will take place on November 13th. Canned goods and other donation items will be collected for the Belmore merit community covered. So once again, the board appreciates the PTAs and all the incredible [cough] things. >> Thank you very much, Miss Ke. Um Mr. Carter, buildings and grounds. Got the heat going in here, so that's good. [laughter] [clears throat] >> Everybody's complaining it's too cold now.
016Everybody's too hot. What's going on? [laughter] [clears throat] >> Uh thank you. >> Can't make us happy. >> Never could. Uh, thank you for having me. Um, and I also wanted to thank you, the board, for all you do, for all your support. You guys are amazing. Uh, very happy to be working for you and at your service. Um, I just wanted to echo what uh, Mrs. Ryan said. Uh, Halloween was a great success. Uh, trunk or treat was amazing. All the parades went off without a hitch in spite of the weather. Uh, we moved it indoors after that, but it was pretty awesome. Um, election day also went very smooth. There's a lot of moving parts when you have voters and you have professional development and then you have the parent teachers and our
017guys did a great job making that happen. So, thank you. Uh heating season's here and the heat is working amazing. Um which is >> Yeah. >> All right. Turn it down a little. >> Yeah. >> Uh I really want to thank uh the maintenance crew for that because they did a lot of work over the summer to for that to continue. I mean they're fairly new systems, but uh each year we do a lot of work to keep them that way. And then um winter prep. You know, there were snowflakes the other day, right? So Frank's all excited getting all the equipment ready and uh we'll be ready for for the first snow. >> I think you're trying to smoke us out right now. So, thank you for your report [laughter] >> and uh we're
018moving on. Thank you very much. Uh Miss Long, any communications? >> No communications. >> Okay. Uh board members, any unfinished business or new business. And uh public comments on anything tonight? Do we have anything off the agenda? Okay. And seeing that there as none, we would like a motion to adjurnn. Motion. >> Motion by Miss Keane, second by uh Tracy. All in favor I. Have a great night everyone. Thank you. We'll see you in December. Thank you. Very nice. Back in the news.