Oceanside BOE : August 27 Regular Meeting

001Oh, say can you see by the dawn early so we at the twilight last stripes. and bright stars through the fight. We watch so [Music] the bombs were singing in gangle [Music] Yet [Music] for the land of the free [Music] and the home of the >> Please remain standing. I'd like to take a moment of silence for our veterans, our Nassau County Police Department, our Oceanside Fire Department, and especially for the moment of silence for the two children who died, 14 children injured, three adults while attending the Annunciation Catholic Church on their first day of school in Minneapolis. We say a prayer. Okay. S be sitt please. >> So at this particular time and open it uh opening of school preparations, Dr. Phyllis Harrington. >> Yes. Thank you, Mr. D. Ambrosio. Well, I cannot believe

002that we are here ready to begin another exciting school year. I can assure our board and community that every school building is ready to accept its faculty, its staff, but most importantly its students on Tuesday. Um we are looking for forward to a very smooth opening. In just a few minutes, I will ask uh Dr. D. Roza to report on our staffing updates as well as um Miss Brevito who will um do a brief opening of some of the activities that occurred over the summer. Um and um and then we will also have an update on our capital projects. But I will begin Dr. D. Rozer, if you don't mind bringing everyone up to date as to where we are in terms of staffing. >> Absolutely, Dr. Harrington, and thank you for the opportunity. Um,

003Justin Kramer, who happens to be our district clerk, also uh works side by side with me in our HR office, and together uh we hired close to 200 people over the last several months. And that is not an easy easy task. And uh I'm really proud of the people that we have uh hired this year uh including um you know 64 professional staff uh 37 administrative assistants, teacher assistants, nurses, aids, monitors, and then and loads and loads of substitute teachers and all of that. But as many of you know, there are staffing shortages uh across the county and and certainly in school districts, especially for um some uh employees like aids and monitors. It's very hard to find staff members in those areas. We do continue to have vacancies um and our our principles are

004doing their best they can to cover where they are. Our special ed administrators are being certainly very creative in the way they schedule staff and students. Um, but I do encourage staff members, um, community members, if you are interested in working in Oceanside, uh, Diane will tell you she'll get a pin for 25 years of service tomorrow. So, uh, Diane will tell you it is the best place to work at I agree as well, not far behind her. And, uh, certainly, you know, just have them fill out an application and we would be happy to meet with them and see if there is a right fit for them here. So, thank you, Dr. Harrington. Any questions? Certainly. Um, as always, summer is a very busy season for the Department of Curriculum, Instruction, and Technology, and

005I'm very proud to share with you just a snapshot of some of what we accomplished. We successfully completed another strong summer school season. This year, we offered 16 courses, of course, content areas for credit recovery, and 10 regions prep classes. We also had two through our partner uh ship with method test prep we housed two SAT courses. Um we administered about 300 regions exams. Those exams were taken by students who um are retaking the test but also some who wanted to gain a higher score just out of their own will um to engage themselves in in that content again. um through our uh and from there I would like to share that we had 26 curriculum writing and alignment projects happening across preK through 12 and I am not going to share them all with

006you but I would really like to share a few highlights. Teachers designed the new AP Seminar curriculum to meet both College Board expectations and the New York State standards. That's for our AP Seminar English 10 pathway. We created a brand new Italian 2 curriculum. We developed curriculum for the new math grade 12 college computer science B course. We updated pacing calendars for our words their ways spelling and word program at the elementary level. And we wrote curriculum for a new high school music elective which I think is going to be pretty popular history of rock and roll. And lastly, our at our middle level, we also um redeveloped and designed our courses in personal finance and human relations. Um I truly could go on. our teachers, our directors, they have been working tirelessly all summer

007to strengthen and continue to innovate our programs. Uh, professional development was also in full swing this summer. We facilitated 18 courses with more than 300 participants of our faculty members. Topics concluded the training on our new prek brigant screener. It's a screener that we give our little ones before they come just to get to know them well. We had crisis prevention strategy courses, learning through AI courses, and strategies for supporting English as new language learners. And that's just a snapshot of of what we did uh this summer in that area. Finally, my colleague Dr. D. Roza spoke earlier about the incredible work that she and her team has done to hire and uh welcome our newest faculty members. My department had the privilege of preparing them for a smooth transition into our systems, our curriculums,

008and our instructional practices. All to make sure that they are ready to hit the ground and uh teach our students in the most excellent way from day one. Our new faculty orientation team was truly outstanding. This year it included administrators, teacher leaders, and partners such as our new professional learning center director and high school teacher, Jason Manning, and our new mentor facilitator, Ivy Sabbrano. I would at this moment ask any of the administrators in the room who led or presented at new uh faculty orientation to stand for just a moment and accept some recognition for your work. If if I had the teachers that were a part of this here, you would see that it is a cadre of dedicated individuals and it really does take that in order to make sure that we are

009prepared and ready to go. Um to cap off orientation, all of our new teachers attended a community breakfast where they were officially welcomed and they heard words of encouragement and advice from a variety of voices that included our superintendent, our PTA presidents, and our incredible board of education trustees. This tradition, frankly, is always a highlight of the school year for all of us. So, as you can see, it's been an incredibly busy and productive summer, and I am very excited to welcome back our students and put all of this preparation into action for another wonderful year. Thank you, Dr. Harrington. >> Thank you, Miss Pervito. Um, before I turn the mic over to Dr. Kley, I'm I'm sure anyone who's um been around the Oceanside um community over the course of the summer saw the

010amazing work that was being done in terms of capital uh improvements. I'll let him speak to that uh in just a moment. Before I do that, I do want to focus on two other things that are uh quote unquote new uh this school year. So, this will be the first year that the state education department is requiring that the board of education allow a student representative to serve on the board. Our board uh had the forethought last year um we had a student that was coming regularly to our meetings because we have included student voice in our meetings um for some time. So, we actually had a student rep um serve as of last year, but this is the first year that we're required to do so, but we do so very happily and do

011officially now welcome Brian Rusco uh who is our student representative from our high school and I am incredibly positive and sure he will serve us incredibly well. Uh the other thing I do want to mention uh and I I'm have to assume it will come at no surprise to anyone in the room, but we will be enforcing the cell phone policy that will be in place. I will say and I'm incredibly proud of our community because I believe that they took the work that we've done over the past year plus in terms of studying the research um that I think led to this ultimate um uh uh uh policy. Uh they took it to heart. They studied it. They examined it for themselves and came to the same conclusions that we all came to that

012we needed some way to control the amount of screen time um that all of us uh but especially our students would be exposed to especially during the uh instructional period and time. Uh to that end I I believe we will have a relatively seamless uh opening uh as it relates to that. Our building principles have done an amazing job at communicating to our parents. Uh there will be a message from me going to every family uh once again the day before school officially begins. The actual policy has been on our website now uh all summer long and certainly I still open the door to anyone who might have any particular questions uh to feel free to reach out to the school administrator or to central office. We would be happy to answer at any any

013time. But overall, I feel incredibly positive about it and again I I applaud our community who seems to really understand uh the rationale behind that. With that being said, Dr. Kley, the floor is now yours. >> Thank you, Dr. Harrington. Just wanted to provide the community a quick update of uh how our capital projects have fared over this past summer. This past summer, phase five of our capital project got started. Um, as you can see, uh, this project will now include a brickandmortar new structural addition to an already existing interior courtyard, which will soon house a brand new robotics and engineering room, the business resource center, storage room for prep materials, and a brand new video broadcasting suite. Also, there will be renovations done to existing technology and wood shop classrooms, converting them into an

014auto shop and a modernized wood shop. There will be ongoing work uh scheduled for afterchool hours so there is no disruption to the school day for any staff or students. One of the other important components of phase 5 included providing air conditioning into our existing band room which is also underway and should be completed over the next couple of weeks. Um this entire project was funded from our capital reserve which did not have any additional impact to our taxpaying community. As you can see, one of the other projects keeping busy here in Oceanside this summer um was our turf project. Um over at school number three, new turf is now laid down and there are some minor punch list items still outstanding, including uh new block windows as well as an underground electrical primary service

015that are scheduled to be addressed this week, but they will be ready for school opening next week. Over at Oceanside High School, as you can see, our brand new tennis courts are completely renovated and will be ready for our boys and girls uh season when they begin. While the groundwork of the baseball and softball turf project has begun, uh that project is slated to be completed this fall with both baseball and softball teams being ready to begin their seasons in the spring, both on the brand new turf. Uh this project was also uh 100% funded from the capital reserve again which did not have any additional impact on our community. Some other but smaller uh other a smaller but important projects um that we did inhouse um includes the restoration of the school 8 portables

016um as well as reclaiming space here at school 6 the early learning center that was previously occupied by an external organization. Um and finally, Dom, next slide. And finally, I'd just like to, you know, thank uh our entire buildings and grounds department. Um there are about 80 men and women who dedicate themselves and their, you know, dayto-day into making our buildings look great, our grounds look great, and this really could not be done without, you know, the grounds department, which handles painting requests, moving requests, landscaping, maintenance items, um general summer cleaning, and this is all under the leadership of Mr. Mr. Tommy Brando who is our maintenance supervisor, Mr. Alfredo Vega who is our supervisor of operations and Mr. Mark Monttoano who is our director of facilities. Um any questions on the capital projects >>

017and Dr. Kley? >> Yep. >> You had mentioned the um a lot of the the most of the projects or all the projects were from the the funding from the capital reserves and you said there was no additional impact on the community. Would that specifically you're referring to? Um as far as the the taxes go, no additional that's all done without any additional taxes being on the community. >> That is correct. Uh so the way it works is when uh a school year is over, uh there is a concept called fund balance and at the conclusion of that there are recommendations for fund balance to be put into certain reserves strategically. Um we made it uh a clear effort to do that years ago. And now we're reaping um some of the benefits again at

018no additional impact to the community because once upon a time we had already collected those taxes >> and that was those were authorized by the community through uh through a voter approval. >> Yes. Um one of the um main uh contentions with uh capital reserve is the school district is not legally authorized to touch that money without as you said without community approval. >> Okay. I I just want to say generally speaking, I know we go through this every um this time every year. Everyone seems to think that everything is slow moving in school districts over the course of a summer. And I think we have heard firsthand and witnessed everything that goes on in at least our school district over the course of the summer. And it's really uh truly amazing work with everything

019between the curriculum and with the hiring. You know, 200 staff over the last couple of months is uh no easy feat and juggling with all the the the red tape um and the bureaucracy that's involved with that. I know it's it's it's really amazing. Um it's definitely appreciated. And you know, while we were talking about this being a great place to work, I mean, while I don't work here, I have no doubt from everything I've seen and and all the time I've spent around here, it definitely it it definitely gives all the signs of the great place to work. So, thank you very much for for all that. >> Thank you. >> And Mr. Kley, all of this uh all this construction is all uh building a correct? >> That is correct. So at the

020conclusion of each project um there's a process uh that we file with the New York State Education Department and once the state education department deems our project completed um there is building aid that comes back. So for example if a project costs a million dollars and it was already voter approved and we close that project out. Um every district has a certain level of building aid. For us it's approximately 40 cents of the dollar. So we would receive about 40 cents of the dollar for every dollar we spend on an approved voter approved capital project. Great question. Thank you Mr. Drosio. >> Thank you >> Mr. Kley. Um one other question I just to follow up on Mr. Blau the some the projects that we're working on now are were approved by the voters in

02123 and 24. We didn't do anything this year. So I just want people to understand how long the bureaucracy takes Yeah. to get these projects going. So these are 23 and 24 approved projects. >> That is correct. When a project uh was approved thanks to the community support in the uh 2324 budget year, um it takes a a long process of getting the design work, the preliminary scope, um the specifications, the items, obviously meeting with the building and the district administration, the district architect. All of that paperwork goes up to the uh New York State Education Department, the office of facilities planning for review. Honestly, it takes the earliest about six months, but it has taken some others over a year for us because we were adding to the uh the instructional blueprint, the blueprint

022of the building. It took a little bit longer and there was another series of questions um that came with that. So, to answer your question, yes, but we were also preparing for that based on the time uh the schedule of what we needed to do this summer. >> Do we have everything we need from them now as far as approval for what we have? In other words, we have everything we need from the state. So, we have nothing holding us up on that level anymore. >> Correct. Okay, >> M. Dean Broer, one more question I have. I I know to our far left there are some pictures up there. I can't ex exactly read what they say. I see the one on the far end. Looks like it's the softball fields. I'm assuming those that's

023the updates or what the work is that's been done. >> Yep. So those um kind of plans over there are the initial um architectural designs that came from their printing machine of what ultimately the project is going to look like um once we're all done. Yep. And over there you will see the turf project, the tennis courts, and the interior of what phase 5 looks like. And they're all colorcoded. So obviously where you see the colors, those are going to indicate some of the renovations and changes we're we're undergoing. >> I have one more question. >> Thank you. >> One more question. Um the completion date of all of this, what's the long range? >> Uh separate projects, but the turf project will be completed sooner. Uh that will be ready to go, that will

024be completed this fall in anticipation and ready for our students to um participate in their respective sports in the spring. Phase five, because it's such a large um project to kind of tackle, we're actually phasing it in. So, there are going to be certain phases that um we're going to be handling and then ultimately shifting some students around. It's going to be a minor inconvenience. I would say, Mr. Transom, help me. I would say approximately two years um from the date that they started, which was this past summer. >> That's correct. >> So, we're looking at 27 >> 27 28 >> and that would be like the automotive shop. >> That would be the motor shop >> and the classrooms. All the STEM classrooms >> and the STEM classrooms. >> Yeah. STEM classrooms first then

025then the shop. Right. >> Okay. >> Thank you. >> Yeah. Keep in mind with those projects we're building brick and mortar. We're starting from scratch. >> Okay. If we move on, we're on 4C assessment results and I defer back to Dr. Harrington and Mrs. Bravito. >> Thank you, Mr. Drosio. So, of course, we just now spent some time talking about the beginning of a new school year, but it is always equally important for a school district to reflect on achievement uh the previous year. And you know, the spring is a very busy time. We have numerous assessments that are given um across our grade levels. Uh again, kudos to all of the teachers who make the magic happen and the leaders who who who guide them. uh it and all of this happens under the

026opaces of Miss PvO and and and and her team. So at this point um I would like to turn the program over to Miss PvO who will give an overview of our assessment results. This presentation will live on our website. So please feel free if anyone wants to go back and revisit any of these numbers uh and have any further questions uh we're always available to answer them. Miss Pino. >> Thank you Dr. Harrington. Good evening everyone. Tonight's presentation will focus on our 2025 spring regions advanced placement and state assessment results. We begin with the June 2025 regions performance data. So a little background, our students take regions examinations beginning at the middle level where eighth grade students participate in high school level coursework. This year was the first administration of the new life science

027biology regions exam at Oceanside Middle School. 110 students took the exam and achieved an outstanding 99% passing rate. I will come back to that exam a little later when we speak about Oceanside High School and provide even more context about why that is outstanding. In addition, 368 students sat for the algebra algebra 1 regions with 91% passing. These results highlight both the strength of our instruction and the readiness of our students to take on high school level coursework while at the middle school. Now, let's move onward to our Oceanside High School regions data. At the high school, we begin with English. On the January administration of the English language arts regents, Oceanside received a 90% passing rate. While this does reflect a small dip from last year, it remains a strong area overall. It is

028also worth noting that this year's examination was widely regarded as especially challenging across New York State school districts. In social studies, our students continue to excel. On the global history and geography regions, 95% of students passed and on the US history and government regions, 98% passed. These uh results reflect consistently strong performance of our students in these subject areas. As I mentioned earlier, this year marked the first administration of the life science biology exam, which was aligned to the new state new um science standards, which we've been working at for quite some time. At Oceanside High School, 312 students took the exam with 91% passing. When you combine this with the middle school's passing rate, we see a very um strong success story in the very first year of a new and more rigorous exam.

029You may have also heard that this new test raised concerns across the state. There were reports of questions not fully aligned to the standards and many high-erforming districts saw significantly lower passing rates than usual. The fact that our students excelled reflect the diligent work we've done to align curriculum to new standards and to build science process skills. We are incredibly proud of these results and I want to recognize the leadership of our science director and the entire science department. Their intentional and sustained work during this enormous standard alignment uh process really did position our students well for success. Additionally, 16 students, that's a small number, took the legacy, that's what we call the old living environment regions exam, which is being phased out. This small group has significant learning challenges and had previously struggled with

030the test. The passing rate was slower at 13% which reflects this unique group of um learners circumstances. What is interesting is that since it is the old exam, at some point it's going to phase out. What we are um fortunate with is that we are allowed two more administrations for these students in uh January and June. So they get a few more shots at this. Earth science maintains strong performance with 85% passing. Um let's move on to physics. You will notice a decrease in the number of students taking the physics regions. Specifically, 141 students took it last year compared to 88 this year. And this is important. So, we wanted to be sure that we explained this shift and actually contextualized the positive that surrounds it. As a district, you know, we have remained committed

031to encouraging more students to take highlevel coursework beyond what is required for graduation and that includes physics courses. This has resulted in a larger overall group of physics learners over time. In the past, all AP physics students took both the AP and regions exams because the AP content that was taught over overlapped with the content from the regions examination. However, the changes changes came to the AP curriculum, which means it no longer aligned with the physics regions. So, like many districts, we decided not to require our AP students to take both exams. And what that did for them was it allowed them to concentrate their learning and their studying on the AP examination for the course. And we knew in advance when we made this decision that it would lead to a lower number of

032students taking the regent's exam, but we felt the decision was in the best interest of our learners. And I will tell you in examining the AP um scores for that particular exam, we had a very high level of fours and fives, which means our students will gain college credit, which is part of the benefit. Um I have to mention one other v variable that impacted the number of students who took the physics regions. The state education department scheduled the physics regions after graduation. This is unfortunately not the first time that that was the schedule for this exam. That did lead to some of our seniors um to opt out of the exam. It was after graduation and they did not return to take the exam. These factors did contribute to a 57% passing rate this

033year, a decline from last year, but I hope that explains what you're seeing on uh in terms of that data. Looking ahead, as always though, we are committed to strengthening our physics curriculum and instruction as we prepare the new SC as we prepare for new science standards and upcoming new examinations in that content area. >> Miss Pervito, I know how excited you were to talk about physics, but you left chemistry out. >> Not yet. Here I go. >> Oh, you did? Oh, okay. >> I changed my order there. >> Okay. >> But thank you. Thank you. And finally, Chemistry is an area I highlighted last year. At that time, I did share that we would be implementing curriculum revisions and internal program adjustments to better support success. This year, we saw the work pay off.

034The passing rate increased to 72%, six points up from the prior year. Um, this is regent. Uh this is this concludes my component of the um science exams but I have to say we feel quite confident in the approach that we are taking to prepare both our teachers and students for the new expectations that the new standards brought upon us. Um our strong results in biology certainly do reinforce that we are on the right track. So let's move on onward to mathematics. At the high school, only a small number of students take algebra 1. And this is because the vast majority of of our students complete it in middle school, which I reported earlier. Of the 48 students who tested this year, 50% passed. We continue to provide targeted support to help these students succeed.

035In geometry, we are especially encouraged. The passing rate increased to 72%, an 8 point gain from 2024. I think you know that geometry has historically been one of the more challenging regions exams and this improvement validates the intentional shift we made to a one-year course model for all our students. It reflects the sustain the sustained work of our director and teacher teachers to strengthen instruction and grow student success. And in algebra 2, results remain strong and steady with a 95% passing rate. This is consistent with last year's performance. This stability combined with our growth in geometry shows that our students are progressing well through the full math sequence. Now, we will look at the data as it pertains to Oceanside High School Castleton. At Oceanside High School, Castleton, 18 students, you know, that's a very

036small school population at Castleton. 18 students sat for the January English regions with 39% passing. This is a decline from last year. One of the advantages of testing in January, because we do take the English exam in January, is that our students then have a shot at retaking the regions in both June and August. I am pleased to share that we saw many additional students pass the English exam from Castleton as a result if not all at this point. In science results were mixed. Three students took the new biology regions with 67% passing and two students tested on the legacy the old living environment exam with one student earning a passing score. 17 students took Earth Science, achieving a 53% passing rate, which represents an improvement from last year. In social studies, 67% of students

037passed global history and 85 the U passed US history. Finally, in algebra 1, five students um tested with a 20% passing rate. This is consistent with prior years and continues to be an area where we focus on tailoring and targeting instructions for these learners. These results highlight both areas of strength and continued need and we are confident that with ongoing leadership at Castleton and support, our Castleton students will make continued progress. I'd like to move on to the advanced placement data from the June 20 from the 2025 examinations. The College Board provides advanced placement courses that afford students the opportunity to earn college credit andor qualify for more advanced classes when they begin college. These courses are designed to give students the experience of an introductory level college class while they're still in high school.

038Taking AP courses is also one way that students can stand out when they start their application for their college um wishes. An AP course on a high school transcript shows colleges that a student has taken rigorous coursework and has committed to tackle and complete college level work. Furthermore, it opens door door doors to scholarship opportunities. With that in mind, I am especially proud to share Oceanside's AP results because they represent one of the clearest examples of our continued improvement as a district. This year, 582 students, 34% of the high school population, took a total of 1,339 AP exams. That's a substantial increase from last year. Both the number of students participating on both the numbers of students participating and the number of exams taken. Even with this growth, because when you grow, you tend to

039say, could there be a shift in how many students earn the score necessary to garner college credit? But even with that growth, we saw 73% of our students earn the score of three or higher, matching our best results and reflecting strong readiness for college level work. This progress is not accidental. It is the result of sustained multi-year efforts by our curriculum instruction and technology department to expand to rigorous to expand access to rigorous coursework and to ensure that students have all the support they need to succeed. We are particularly proud of the ways in which AP participation has grown among students who have historically been under reppresented in these courses. With initiatives like the AP Seminar English 10 pathway that I spoke to for curriculum writing this summer, we are building student confidence and academic

040identity earlier in their high school experience. These results and the recognition we have received from the college board as an AP honor roll school affirm our commitment to equity to excellent and excellence and opportunity and we are confident that we will continue this growth in the years ahead. Let's turn our attention to the state assessments in grades three through eight. In English language arts, 64% of Oceanside students achieved a passing score compared with 533% statewide. Oceanside has consistently performed above the state average and this year's results represent meaningful growth that shows our instructional focus is yielding results. Our overall participation rate also improved. The optout rate dropped to 29%. That's a 3% decrease from last year. I attribute this decline and the continued decline to the efforts we have made to inform our parent community

041about the benefits of participation and the information that they would garner as well as um we do that um these assessments do provide us. That said, opt outs remain a challenge and they continue to limit our ability to capture a full picture of our students learning across the district. In mathematics, 72% of our Oceanside students achieved a passing score. That's compared to 55% statewide. Oceanside has consistent consistently performed well above the state average in this content area as well. And this year's results continue that pattern. Since our eighth graders take the algebra 1 regions instead of the state math exam, this only reflects grades three through seven. The district-wide participation also improved with the math rate and our opt- out rate dropped to 27%. That's a 2% uh point decrease from last year. And while

042this is certainly a positive trend, opt outs still do limit our ability to garner the entire scope of our students uh learning in the district. And finally, in science, Oceanside students once again performed above the state average. Districtwide, 61% of our students achieved a passing score compared with 44% statewide. Looking at individual grade levels, 68% of grade 5 students passed the new state exam, while 45% of grade 8 students passed. These results reflect the ongoing adjustment that I spoke to earlier for the state's new standards and exam format. If you'll recall, last year was the first time this test was actually admitted, these tests. It's also important to remind all that 28% of our uh grade eight students took the high school biology regions. So instead of this exam, they took that and therefore again

043these exam um do not reflect the whole entire population of our eighth graders. Together, these results do underscore the strength of our science program and the careful and very diligent preparation we have done to align our curriculum over the past years to these new standards. Participation did improve this year with the overall optout rate um falling to 27% of our students not participating. So, as you've seen tonight, our region's advanced placement and state assessments result tell a story of both strength and progress. We celebrate record participation and success in advanced placement, continued high performance in regions exams, and strong gains in state assessments where Oceanside students consistently outperform the state's average. At the same time, we remain focused, as we always are, on the areas that need continued attention, whether it's growing specific subject area

044performance, providing more individualized and targeted support for our struggling learners or reducing the opt- out rate so that we can truly get a complete picture of our entire student body and their progress. Um, we remain focused on that. What stands out though is that these results are not accidental. They are the product of intentional and exceptional work by our directors, our administrators, our teachers, our students, and our families because it is that we come together with a shared commitment to promote the success of all our students. And yes, in Oceanside, all means all. And with that, I thank you all for your attention. And thank you, Dr. Harris. >> Yes. And before I close this out, are there any specific questions um that we can answer? >> Anyone from the board? >> Yeah, >> Mrs.

045Shaw. >> Um Mrs. PBO, did the parents get their individual scores yet for their students? So, they >> um I'm really pleased to see >> our overall growth and improvement in some of the targeted areas that we targeted last year. I kind of agree with you that as with the opt- out rate still being at around 30%. Um the data about our kids as a whole is is still not reliable. >> Correct. >> But um it does help us with individual students that do take it. It's another piece of the pie for us. And uh I just want to make sure the parents are getting that information and that we're talking to them if they have any questions. Yes, the parent reports did just go out. So, everybody has their parent reports. And as you

046know, our building principles work with their child study teams and they begin to look at the data that we do get and we use that to inform and tailor um instruction for our individual learners. So, thank you for pointing that out. >> Yeah. And and also realize that we understand that one test doesn't tell us everything that a child can do and achieve, >> but it is a piece of a puzzle. >> Sure. Yes. and uh you know and I I also want to understand too that these results will determine AIS services as well. >> They're part of they're part of the different measures that we take in order to determine a AIS services for individual students. Yes. >> So the kids that that score >> on the lower end uh be become more eligible

047for the AIS services, the extra support. >> Okay. Thank you, >> Miss Lucy. Yes, thank you. Um, aside from the AP courses we offer, we also offer a number of dual enrollment. Do you have any statistics on that? How many classes we have or how the performances? >> Uh, we have approximately 20 dual enrollment courses. We we our catalog is robust in dual enrollment. And just to help explain that, that means courses that students can participate in that are also high school level coursework. We partner with schools like Nassau Community College, LIU, Stonybrook. We're actually introducing a new course from Syracuse um this year. So, we do we we believe in that pathway as well. It gives our students choices and we performed very very well in those with um almost all of our students

048garnering um the college credit uh or basically achieving the test results that they need for those courses. So, thank you for that question. >> Thank you. >> I just want to ask again on the dual enrollment they get college credit for that. >> Yes. If they if they meet the if they meet the course requirements, they pass the course. Yes, absolutely. >> And then the the other thing I think we should be very proud of is that 73% of our kids scored three or better on the AP exams, which also guarantee, you know, in most cases guarantees them college credit. Some colleges don't >> they they give them other perks for scoring, but majority of them do get college credit. And uh I know quite a few kids in including my own that uh went

049into college as second semester sophomores because of the AP credits that they had. It's it's a huge financial advantage for families financial advantage >> which is why we are committed to making sure that we open as much access as possible because our students deserve that right and our parents should have that opportunity fiscally to save for a very expensive future important process >> or it gives you the money for your masters. Yes. Because if you're start as a second semester sophomore you you've got that extra money to do to stay that fifth year and get your masters. >> Correct. which is also very helpful >> and and my we have 32 AP courses that we avail ourselves of high school >> and remember that's before we do the AP seminar accounts for this year >>

050correct >> anybody else >> yes too >> you know to follow up on the dual enrollment I think what a lot of people in the community need to know especially the parents and the students obviously is that the dual enrollment you know gives those students students that may not by the numbers here it looks like approximately a third of our high school takes AP at least one AP at 582 students approximately a third of the uh high school takes at least one AP exam but the dual enrollments you know allow an opportunity for not every student is an AP student or enrolled in an AP class and I think it gives them that opportunity to get those college credits u and again as you said and I've said it, we have a very robust catalog

051of courses and opportunities for the students. >> Just out of curiosity for the students that uh may not have passed a regions and I realize that what particular year it may be obviously different regions offered in a different point in the students uh career. >> Um what happens to the students that don't pass? Do they end up retaking the class, retaking the exam itself? >> If they pass the class, they pass the class. But if they fail the regents, they do take the regents again and they have several opportunities and sometimes that happens and sometimes they fail the regions but they also fail the class. So summer school is one means by which we allow credit recovery as well as the opportunity to take the August regions. But um like I illustrated with the January

052regions, we should be very proud that we give the English regions in January. In essence, we're giving it four months prior to many districts which give it in June. We do that because we are completely um just very confident in our learners and our curriculum and that affords our students who take the January regions to have multiple shots June and August. But yes, they can continue to take the exam. And there are also means for students who really really struggle or um have very particular circumstances where we can turn to our superintendent for particular I was just going to ask that because I mean how many times do we make them? That's why the state implemented the super >> if they passed the class how many times we going to make >> that's why the

053sup the state implemented the superintendent's waiver >> and we still have that >> which we still have that and we have definitely granted it to a number of students but they have to demonstrate the effort and you know the data behind that you can't just you know just automatically grant it we do use it we do use it very very effectively >> I just feel like after two times we're we're just torturing >> and we're very mindful of that so we use our pathways properly and and always thinking of the students best interest. >> I just wanted to make sure that that superintendent's uh exemption was still allowed. >> Thank you, Mr. >> Any more questions from the board? >> See, Dr. Yeah. So, the last the last piece of this and I will I

054will be brief. Um so, I think last year you might recall that the state uh introduced their first shot at a New York State portrait of a graduate. uh and it was circulated open for comments from thousands and thousands of stakeholders. As a result of that, uh just this past July, the state has introduced a revision to the original document and uh it's posted up there. Uh this will be also open for uh input and feedback, but I do believe that this will more than likely wind up being the final revision. Um I I do appreciate that the state decided to use Oceanside Blue in in their in their final logo. Um but um what you can see and the and the biggest signific significant difference is at the center of this logo is the

055concept of being culturally responsive and and that actual visual with the hands is something that those of us who have been involved with our CRE work know that that that that representation represents all of the work that the state has done in that area. But they did make that as the center affirming the importance of inclusive student set in learning. And then the other indicators uh or attributes uh circling that of course students who are academically prepared that's somewhat obvious we be a creative innovator a critical thinker an effective communicator a global citizen and to be reflective and future focused. Uh I will say that what we are very much looking forward to the state once this is firmly adopted which I believe is intended to be November of this year. They will then publish

056um uh rubrics guiding um these individual attributes which we have already made a commitment through our content area directors. We will be working with them and with our teachers to sort of do an audit through that rubric of what is happening from preK up through our high school because this is not just a high school issue. This has to be grounded in the work that we do from preK all the way through our senior year. What I wanted the board to know is to be aware that this is now the newly revised um portrait of a graduate. We're fully looking forward to its adoption and we will be prepared to be uh ready um so that our students will in fact be able to address each and every one of these very important critical attributes.

057Any questions? >> Dr. Harrington, I have to say that I I love this portrait of the graduate and I have to say that Oceanside High School's been doing this all along. Know thoroughly, think critically, act ethically. That has been our motto since day one. So, yes, we're ahead of the game. This is great. >> All right, seeing all the questions, uh, we're at 5A. Opportunity to comment on agenda items. Any audience member wishing to make a comment on an item that is on tonight's agenda can do so at this time. Anyone wishing to make a comment on an item not on tonight's agenda will have the opportunity to do so later on in the agenda in the agenda. While New York state law doesn't require us to hold a public comment period on agenda items,

058this board of education chooses to do so because we believe it is important to get input from the community members on all the board agenda items. Please note that the board is here to listen while everyone is designed to encourage to share their comments. Please keep in mind that this is not designed to be a question and answer session. Again, comments should be directed towards the chair which is me. Anyone who wishes to speak only on agenda items should please come up to the microphone. Clearly state your your name and your child's school. Okay. >> I'm sorry. >> Put the mic on. >> Hello. Hi. Um my name is Jen and um I have um family member who attends the high school at Oceanside. Um, I just want to thank you so much for working

059hard this summer to um, I guess get the proper faculty and staff to run this amazing district. Um, I just wanted to also ask, just out of curiosity, you said maybe 200, close to 200 were hired. Can I just ask, were 200 people retired, let go, terminated, and what did we do last year without these 200 people? Um just you know I'm sure everyone is curious to know that and it's a it's it's a it's a great question. We're gonna we're gonna pretend to ask Mr. Drosio now and Mrs. Drosio is now going to ask Dr. D. Rosa to answer us and thank you for the question >> and then I will have have another opportunity to come and ask additional questions to the chair regarding some budget items later. Okay. Thank you so much.

060>> Dr. Ros would you like to absolutely and the number I said was close to 200 uh 200. So uh in terms of teachers and people think like a school is made of teachers and our schools are made up of so many more teachers and in fact when you look at our faculty there are um actually an equal balance between teachers and all of the other staff in our schools. So those numbers do not you know entirely encompass teachers. Uh we do hire a fair number of people right out of school in the titles of teacher assistant, permanent subs, per um substitute teachers. So that in that area in particular, we expect a pretty high attrition. We are encouraging people come here, get your experience, move on to other places. Um in terms of teachers

061and those that are probationary, uh we hired this year 25 probationary teachers. uh probably pretty close to the number of retirees that we had last year as well as a few other people who may have moved on uh for other reasons um from the district and gone outside of teaching or to another district for a different reason. um you know the numbers that I shared before the smaller numbers are things like administrators which are two. We are very proud that we introduced a new title this year of teaching fellows which will be recent graduates from Long Island University who will directly support um our elementary school students. It is meant to be a one-year position. And in fact, they are only have being given a one-year commitment. Um, and it's an opportunity for them to

062get amazing professional development and utilize those skills in our classrooms reaching our children. So, we did hire seven of those. Um, that the other numbers which make up a large large number of these numbers are our aids and monitors. um hourly substitutes, those who who fill in in those titles um are a large portion of this as well as the substitute teachers. Does that help explain? I hope Mr. Damrosie, anything else you like I think I should add? >> No, I think that you know that explains it all. We do have a big turnover in the lower items as far as that's concerned. Does that answer your question, ma'am? >> Kind of. But so there is there was a a large turnover this past year um >> in retirements. Is that >> you said uh

06325 retired this past year or >> 25 teachers which represents our retirements and then people who leave who leave the district for other right and then what about the uh the other what >> the perm subs the teacher assistants those are people who are like generally right out of school we say come you know get your experience here move on to the teaching position it's a a much lower paying job for someone with a master's degree in education so we say do that and We expect that and we we we encourage them to do that. So we have a large number of people in those categories that this is designed to be your entry level job and then you'll move into something else. >> So these weren't new positions, they were positions at their turnovers.

064So >> no no the only new positions were teaching fellows and in fact they weren't new positions. They replaced a different title of position. So there were no actually new positions that were added across the district. >> Okay. So the budget kind of stay the same. >> Neutral. Okay. neutral and actually savings because obviously people who retired were making more money than those we just hired. >> And usually with retirements you don't I mean because of enrollment in Long Island is down those are incentives and then you hire either lower salary teachers or don't hire teachers and kind of >> correct our high school administrators will tell you that we look very very the elementary enrollment is enrollment. You know there's 24 kids in a grade that's how many teachers you need need in a

065class. um very very simple in the high school and the middle school there's a little bit more of a nuance because you want to offer as many AP classes as you're offering as many electives as you're offering and classes don't run as easily 25 kids in every single class just doesn't turn out that way. So our our high school and middle school administrators will tell you we we we look very very closely multiple times a year to make sure that our staff is reflecting the needs of our students and the course enrollment that they are taking. >> Thank you. And then the total amount of the seven fellowships that um in terms of budget how much >> they're $40,000 in employees. So seven times 40 is 280. They happen to be young people all of

066them like really young people right out of school. and they uh are avail health insurance is available to them but we did not incur any costs because they did not need health insurance. >> So that's 280 that's new to the budget this year. >> No, they replace teaching assistance. >> Great. Yeah. I I No, I thank you so much for your time. >> There was no new additions to the budget in terms of staffing. >> That's good to know. Thank you. >> Yes. And we also encourage anybody that's looking for a job to go to our website and we have different positions at different times a year and you're more than welcome to join our staff. >> Uh okay, we're going to be at 6A and I'll take a motion to accept the minutes of

067July 2nd reorg meeting and regular meeting filed as submitted. >> Motion second. >> Any questions or comments? >> All in favor? >> Any opposed? >> Any abstensions? Motion passed. I'll take a motion accept the financial reports, treasury reports, transfer and funds, and internal claims orders review or warrants as submitted. >> I'll move it. I second. >> Any I'm sorry. >> Any questions or comments? All in favor? >> Any opposed? Any abstensions? Motion passes. Mhm. >> Okay. >> Uh 7A, approval of CL uh technology equipment surplus. >> I'll take a motion. >> I'll move it. >> Second and Stu. Any question? Bob and Stew. Any questions or comments? >> All in favor? >> Any opposed? Any abstensions? Motion passes. >> I'll take a motion to declare musical instrument surplus. >> Move it. >> Second, >> Seth

068and Sandy. Any questions or comments? All in favor? >> I. >> Any opposed? Any abstensions? Motion passes. >> How we doing? Good. I'll take a motion to approve the use of facilities as submitted. >> I make the motion. >> Laura, >> I second. >> And Bob, any questions or comments? >> I have a uh just a quick comment. >> Sure. >> Or question, whatever way you want to look at it. Um it has to do with all these use of facilities we're about to approve. Some of them are from September to July requests. And I just want to make sure and I'm I'm pretty sure I know the answer. The Department of Community Activities, which issues these permits, uh has made it clear to these organizations that if for any reason the district is in

069need of these facilities, um for our athletic uh events or other events or PTA activities that they can get bumped, uh because these are long-term commitments here for some of these organizations of our, you know, using our facilities. I just want to make sure Yes. And and it's a good point that our our school district facilities always get first choice. It's on the application and they are aware of that as well. >> Okay. Thank you. >> And I just like to go back just to say that that was for the Oceanside Library. Uh D approval use of facilities by the High Tide Lacrosse Club. I'll take a motion. >> Motion. >> Still second. >> Okay. St. uh set. Uh any questions or comments? All in favor? I. >> Any opposed? Any abstensions? Motion passes. Approve

070use of facilities for the Sharpshooters Hitman Lacrosse. I'll take a motion. >> I'll make that motion. >> Sandy, >> I second. >> And Laura, any questions or comments? All in favor? >> I. >> Any opposed? Any abstensions? Motion passes. >> Approval for use of facilities by the Long Island Surge volleyball. I'll take a motion. Bob >> second. and Stew. Any questions or comments? All in favor? >> I. >> Any opposed? Any abstensions? Motion passes. Letter G. Approve for use of facilities by the Oceanside United Soccer Club. I'll take a motion. >> Move it. >> And Seth, >> I'll second it. >> And Sandy, >> any questions or comments? All in favor? >> Any opposed? Any abstensions? Motion passes. Approval of use of facilities by the um third and 10 sports. I'll pick them now. I'm

071sorry. >> Soccer club ones. >> Same thing. Uh Oceanside United Soccer Club. >> I'll make a motion >> for a tournament. I'll take a motion. >> I'll make that motion. >> Okay. >> Second. >> And Bob or any questions or comments? All in favor? >> I. >> Any opposed? Any abstensions? Motion passes. Approve use of facilities third and 10 sport. I'll take a motion >> move it. >> Okay. Seth >> second >> and Sandy. Uh any questions or comments? All in favor? I. Any opposed? Any abstensions? Motion passes. Okay. We're good. Okay. Okay, we're on J right now. Approval of use of facilities Oceanside Corral. I'll take a motion. >> I'll make that motion. >> Second. And Bob. Any questions or comments? All in favor? >> Any opposed? Any abstensions? >> Motion passes. Approve use

072of facilities by the Oceanside Safe Coalition. motion. >> Take a motion. >> Second. >> Okay, so that's uh Stu and Seth. Any questions or comments? All in favor? >> Any opposed? Any abstensions? Motion passes. Approve use of facilities by the Oceanside Fire Department. I'll take a motion. >> I'll make that motion. I'll second. >> All um all any questions or comments? All in favor? >> Any opposed? Any abstensions? Motion passes. And that's for the use of 911 uh memorial. >> Approve use of facilities Oceanside Flag Football. >> I'll take a motion. >> I'll move it. >> That's Bob. >> Second. >> And Stu. Any questions or comments? All in favor? >> I. >> Any opposed? Any extensions? Motion passes. 8. How we doing, Justin? Good. Uh on A, you got uh I'll take a motion

073to approve uh on a personnel uh recommendations. Move it >> second. >> And Sandy, any question or comments? All in favor? >> I. >> Any opposed? Any abstensions? Motion passes. Dr. Harrington. None. >> I'll take a motion for the civil service personnel recommendation as submitted. I'll take a motion. >> I'll take make that motion. >> Laura, a second. >> And Bob. Any questions or comments? All in favor? Any opposed? Any abstensions? Motion passes. A motion to approve hourly employee recommendations as submitted. >> Motion set uh still >> second. >> And Seth, any questions or comments? All in favor? >> I. >> Any opposed? Any abstensions? >> I abstain. >> Okay. Good. Take a motion to approve summer school personnel recommendation as submitted. I'll make that motion. >> Sandy, >> I second. >> And Laura, any

074questions or comments? >> Yeah, I just wanted a point of clarification on this and the DACA employees. Uh Jill, those are the numbers are also included in the 200 we've hired. So, I just want her to understand that as well that this included our entire summer program and all our um DACA employees who helped run a lot of our summer programs and also the summer school teaching and so on. So, when we say 200, this is a year-long pro. This is a from the summer through the next school year. >> Okay. So, we're back to any questions, comments. That was Sandy. Uh, who did it first? And >> I did it first. I made >> Sandy did it first. And who's got a second? >> I did a second. Laura did. >> Laura. Okay. Uh,

075all in favor? >> I. >> Any opposed? Any abstensions? Motion passes. I'll take a motion to approve the Docker employee recommendation as submitted. >> I move it. >> Bob second. >> And Stu, any questions or comments? All in favor? >> Any opposed? Any abstensions? Motion passes. We're on letter F. High school and middle school for coaching staffing JV for the 2526 season. I'll take a motion. >> Move it. Set. >> I'll second it. >> Sandy. Any question or comments? All in favor? >> I. >> Any opposed? Any abstensions? Which is myself? I'll abstain. And then motion passes. >> How we doing, Justin? Okay. Uh 9A. A motion to approve the recommendation of the CSE CSP uh chairperson as submitted. >> I make that motion. >> Take a motion. >> I second. >> Laura and Bob.

076Any questions or comments? >> All in favor? I. >> Any opposed? Any abstensions? Motion passes. >> Item 10A, a motion to approve the 2526 updated student overnight trips. I'll take a motion. >> Motion. >> Second. >> Stu and Seth. Any questions or comments? >> All in favor? I. >> Any opposed? Any abstensions? >> Motion passes. Take a motion to approve the risk operation center access for learning center data privacy consortium the education cooperative to negotiate approve ed law uh 2D compliance DPAs as outlined. I'll take a motion. >> I'll make a motion. >> Sandy, >> I second. >> Laura, any questions or comments? All in favor? >> Any opposed? Any absentions? Motion passes. I'll take a motion to approve the termination of a security monitor pursuant to civil service law section 71. I'll take a

077motion. >> I'll move it. >> Bob >> second. >> And Stew. Any questions or comments? >> All in favor? >> I. >> Any opposed? Any abstension? Motion passes. And we'll take approval of the 2526 district-wide safety plan. >> Move it. Seth, >> I'll second it. Any questions or comments? All in favor? I. >> Any opposed? Any abstensions? Motion passes. >> I did have a question. >> Okay. I'm sorry. We'll go back. >> That's okay. >> We're a D. >> Yeah, I'm okay with approving it. My My question is to Dr. Kley. Did we update some of the names and so on that were in the report? That's question one. Question two, did we add a section on the cardiac response? >> So, right now, >> that's required by law. Now, >> right now, um, all

078of the updates that were given to us by the time that this was reviewed in draft form by, um, the public forum that we held in May was, um, was just approved. We understand that there were some recent additions based on, um, New York State at Law. There may be a second rendition in a couple of months because we have to get it back to another public forum, put it back on the district website for a period of 30 days, and then at the conclusion of that, bring it back to the board for >> Okay. So, at the next district-wide security meeting, we'll discuss the um cardiac >> 100% >> piece of the law that was just enacted. >> That's correct. >> And then we'll make an amendment to this >> after it's on the

079website for a period of 30 days of public input. >> So, we're figuring maybe down the line Novemberish. >> Yep. >> Okay. >> So, Justin, we have who who who took a first and a second? >> I did a first. >> Sandy did a first, >> I think. No, I did a Did I do a first? >> Mr. Blau did a first. >> I think Seth went >> and Sandy did a second. I'm sorry. >> That's okay. No, it's it's good. >> I just wanted to clarify. >> All in favor? >> I I >> I >> Okay. Any opposed? Any abstensions? Motion passes. And now we're on E. Approval to the 2526 building level safety plans. I'll take a motion. >> I'll make that motion. >> I'll move it. >> I mean, I'll second it.

080>> Okay. Bob, any question or comments? All in favor? >> Any abstensions? >> All any opposed? Any abstensions? Motion passes. One F. Motion to approve a fifth grade student who moved to another part of community to complete their fifth and sixth grade at school three. I'll take a motion. >> Motion second. >> And set. Any questions or comments? >> Dr. Harrington. That's uh this is pursuant to board policy. >> That is correct. >> Thank you. >> Okay. So, um >> do they provide their own transportation as well? >> Yes, they do. >> Okay. So, uh, who took the first? Anybody say first? >> Stu. >> Okay. Seth >> second. Any questions or comments? More questions or comments? All in favor? >> Any opposed? Any abstensions? Motion passes. >> And we're on H >> G. Motion

081approve terms and conditions of the stipulation of settlement resolve in a certain matter between the district and a parent of a youngster classified as district CSE. I'll take a motion. >> I'll make that motion. >> I second. >> Seth um Sandy and Laura. Any questions or comments? All in favor? >> Any opposed? Any abstensions? Motion passes. H. A motion to approve the memorandum of agreement MOA between CSEA clerical unit and the Oceanside School District as attached to the meeting minutes. Uh I'll take a motion. >> I'll move it. >> Bob >> second. >> Stu second. Any questions or comments? All in favor? >> I. >> Any opposed? Any abstensions? >> Motion passes. We're on 11 and that's going to be the superintendent of schools report. Dr. Har at this Mr. Ambrosie, it's been a long

082meeting. We shared a lot of information. I just want everyone to have a wonderful um happy, healthy, and successful school year. We're really looking forward to it. Uh 12A board of education report. I would just like to just give a quick shout out to all our staff that during the summertime is really putting this school almost looks like a little bit of a war zone and now it's all coming back together. I mean, we see people that are playing on tennis courts now that we started early in the project. You know, we have big machines all over the place. Some of the parking lots are are tightened up now. We have equipment around. So, we're going to ask everybody to be uh a little more patient when picking up their children. There's a lot of

083things going on. We know the school three people are going to be happy. He finally got some turf over there. and uh school 8's got uh some temporary classrooms that were temporary but now they're almost permanent and they're really in a good spot. So a lot of our schools that are good but that just doesn't happen magically. It happens because of the hard work that's during the summer that when it's 90 and 95 and 100 and some of us are going to the beach. Obviously these people are getting paid but these people are working hard because of the time restraint that we got. So, a big kudos to that and a big kudos to our athletic director who now comes in and putting together all the fall sports. As you could see, it's great that

084before school starts, two weeks before, people are passing the schools. There's a lot of action going on and sometimes people say, "I can't wait, you know, that who wants to go back to school and we have all these kids that are saying they can't wait to get back to school." It's just that that routine base that they go for. So big kudos to our sports department that uh is really putting us together and a lot of good things. >> Mr. Dros, if I may, just because you said that, it is very exciting to see our sports teams already out there. But I also do have to add that we also had this past week our marching band camp where we had over 58 students, which you know is a huge huge huge increase. So happy

085to see them. We I stopped in today. They were having a great time. uh and they are really looking forward to an amazing year and they're going to their songs are going to be uh based on the work of Lady Gaga. So they are super they're Gaga over Gaga. So and we're we're excited for them >> and kudos to Dr. Harrington. I know a couple of years ago we had a little bit of a drop off and you know uh through all the work of that entire department um >> they got air conditioning obviously and uh and maybe that's what the reason is. Maybe we got more kids that are coming for air conditioning. So Stu, would you like to start off? Anything else? >> Seth Blau, would you like to start off? >> I'm

086good. >> You're good. Mr. Shaw, would you like to start off? >> Good. Um, Laura releasing, you got anything to say? >> Mr. Transom. >> Yes. I got a couple of words. Okay. >> I'd like to compliment the uh custodial staff and the groundsmen for the condition of the exterior grounds and the buildings. I had an opportunity to walk through the buildings and they look superb. We're all set for the fall. I'd like to uh congratulate Mrs. PvO. She ran a wonderful meeting last week introducing the new employees to the school district. So, congratulations. You know, Mrs. PvO has two V's in her name and because she's very very special, Diane. Thank you. Um >> I do have one. >> Okay. Mr. Hello. >> Just wanted to mention that the Oceanside Kuanas Club is having

087its annual installation dinner on I think it's October 16th. Um, one of our honores is our own Dr. Allison Glickman Rogers who's here with us today. Congratulations. Who's being recognized with our special service award for all the hard work that you've done over the years uh amazing results above and beyond as a principal of our Oceanside Middle School. So, if anyone's interested in coming, please um you know, speak to someone from the Kuanas Club about uh the tickets. It's at Combert Caterers at Temple of Oda, which anyone that's ever been there, it's a fantastic event, a fantastic venue, meal, and everything else. So, um I look forward to seeing everyone. >> With that being said, Brian uh Wusco, he's our uh student rep here. uh even though it's required by the state, we we had

088um we put a student rep in there a year prior to that before it was mandated. Uh would you like to say a few words, B? How excited you are with getting into the high school with the the new cell phone policy? Uh yeah, I just I'm super excited for school to start and I know summer went too quick, but I'm really excited to starting start to get into it and uh we'll see how this new phone policy goes. >> Okay. Uh thank you everybody. Uh at this particular time, opportunity to comment on non-aggenda items. Next is the public comment on nine agenda items. This is the opportunity for anyone who wants to make a comment on any item that is not on tonight's agenda. As I previously mentioned, as I previously mentioned, state law

089does not require us to hold a public comment period, but this board of education does so because we believe it's important to provide this form to hear from our community members about concerns and issues. Having said that, please note that the board is here to listen. Comment should be directed towards the chair of the meeting, which is me. While everyone is encouraged to share their comments, please remember that this is not designed as a question answer session. If someone has a question that can be quickly answered, we will do so. Otherwise, the appropriate personnel will follow up on any issue. Lastly, please remember that the board cannot and will not discuss personnel matters related to staff or students in public. Any party wishing to come up to the microphone, clearly state your name and your

090child's school. Thank you for cooperation and participation at this particular time. Is anybody would like to come up to the microphone. >> Just the mic is on. >> Please state your name and your child's school. >> My name is Tara and she's currently going into middle school. >> And I see you're doing a lot of upgrades to different schools in Oceanside. And I'm wondering if you're going to do anything to your surveillance camera systems in Oceanside schools. M Mr. Cole, do you want to touch quickly on it? >> I can touch on that. Um, approximately two years ago, um, we actually replaced every interior and exterior uh, camera in the district. They were the old models were a bit grainy. So, we now have, um, the capability of having the high quality as well as

091the pan, tilt, zoom to really hone in on for some high quality surveillance. Have you had any incidents where that did not work with >> we're not going to discuss that right now. Nope. I'm sorry. But please at the end of the meeting feel free >> right or contact Dr. Kley and if you have any certain concerns that we can try to address. >> Okay. Thank you. >> All right. Thank you. >> Yes. >> Um >> please state your name and >> my name is John Gilmore. my my children aged out a long long time ago. >> Okay. >> I'm here because um as we all know a couple weeks ago the Oceanside School District lost a case in federal court um concerning uh denying a uh a young girl who's going to school in

092the district will be going to school in the district because of the court the opportunity to go to school. And the way I understand it is that uh the school district has up until September 11th to decide whether they want to appeal this decision or not. And I strongly encourage you not to go forward with an appeal. Um this whole incident has presented the Ocean School District in an extremely bad light and the best thing to do would be to let it stop. Right. We had a girl who, this is according to what's been published in the media, she was badly injured by vaccines, right? She had half a dozen doctors say she should not get any more vaccines because it could do extensive damage, could possibly even threaten her life, right? Yet, for some

093reason, this the school district decided not to allowed her to have a medical exemption, which is allowed under New York law under public health. >> I'm sorry. Point point of information here. Um, we're not supposed to be discussing personnel matters and matters involving students. >> Well, I just think you I just think he's doing a general a general thing. So, we're not going to here discuss anybody individual. But, if you want to try to recite New York State law the way you perceive it, you can. But it doesn't mean that that you have all your facts together, but we'll we'll listen to you if you like. Go ahead. >> Right. And when New York public health law says that all it requires is a New York licensed physician who believes that a shot may injure

094a child is sufficient for a medical exemption. She had six doctors, right? >> I'm sorry again. He's >> I said I got it. I got it. Sorry. Okay. We're not going to refer to anybody right now. And it's because that's against the law as you probably know. So >> if you want to talk general, that's okay. But you know, we're not going to stay here and talk about anything. Well, we actually don't know which child we're talking about because she's in the the the papers or the legal documents as Sarah Doe, >> but now you >> and it has all been public information, but I will not refer to any other particulars about this case. >> So, that's very much appreciated. And in in a similar vein and in a very generic term, what I

095can say to you uh and to our community most importantly is that um under there's no question that the health and safety of all of our students and staff is always our utmost priority. Uh and to that end um we also follow the law which in this case we had and I will also say that when it has to do with health we work explic explicitly with our medical doctors as well as in this case the New York State Department of Health and in both of those case in that case we had done that in both of those situations. So, I appreciate um your your statement about not pursuing an appeal. That that is definitely being taken under serious consideration. But I also just respectfully want to just say that as a general statement, we

096follow the law as you as you as you stated a version of the law. We follow the law and we work with our medical professionals. >> Two more things. Okay. The judge agreed with me, not with the district. You guys did not follow the law which is why you lost the case. >> Okay. >> Second thing I want to bring out you Oceanside received not just national but international media coverage over this incident. Okay. You're not looking really really good out there in the media world. So just take that into consideration as well. And one last thing, don't you guys have anything better to do with the money that's being spent on this than to to try and keep a girl out of school? So, thank you. >> Very good. Very good. Beautiful. Okay. Um,

097okay. We'll take you on my turn. >> Your turn on the right. Okay. >> Do you have a name and child school? >> Yes. My name is Melissa Chios and I'm here. My children are no longer in public school. >> Can I point of information? This is um probably the fourth speaker that's come up and hasn't had a child in the school. Are any of these res are are any of these residents Oceanside >> residents? >> Some of us have children in private school for personal reasons irrelevant to why we're here. >> So, are any of the people Oceanside residents? >> I'm not saying that people can't speak. I'm just asking you a question whether they're Oceanside. Well, we'll >> whether we are some of us are >> I'll take that as a no that

098none of them are. >> None of that. I don't think that's the case. >> Okay, hold on. >> Can we focus on the comments? We're diverting and it's really unfair. focus. >> I will reiterate and I will not make it about any personal child um spec specifically, but it is absolutely deplorable to deny a child treating her as a secondass citizen because she has a predisposition um genetic susceptibility to injury. To deny Imagine if that were your child, I don't know whether all of you have children. I'm imagining most of you may. Imagine if your child was treated like a secondass citizen, excommunicated from society when you know very well they pose no harm to anyone. Okay. Um it's imperative it's not about one student, it's about the law and everyone eyes outside the district

099are looking at this district because you're setting a very poor example. Thankfully the justice system prevailed here. But it is really absolutely deplorable to treat a child that way. >> Okay. And the law does state no one should no one has the right to intervene with a doctor patient relationship. No one here knows anything about any of our children, what their health might be, what their medical predispositions are. So to deny a child their right to an education based on your assumption that the doctor's assessment is not correct is absolutely shameful. So I really hope that everyone recognizes that what was done before this is wrong. What's done is done. We're looking at this district moving forward. And I think everyone here really will hold everyone accountable who's responsible for treating a child, a medically

100fragile child, the way she was treated. >> So, let's hope we can move forward on a more positive note. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Yes, ma'am. >> Hi. Um, it's me again. Y >> So, I just this on a separate note. Um, so I apologize if I was if I sound ignorant. Um, Mr. chair, this has to do with the budget and I just want to appreciate that you guys have a 107 page report on the two 202526 budget. >> Um it's pretty impressive and I thank you for working on that. I know I've been asleep at the wheel um during budget season, but I will be now attending your board the board meetings and budget or reviewing online um that you guys um have online. I know you guys have access to everybody

101if we can't be here. So my question is a couple things when reviewing the 107 page budget report. I don't know if everybody notices knows this but I hope you know on the website you can get this report yourself. So some of the lines budget codes are detailed with numbers on them. Some aren't. Just wanted to know if there is no number next to the budget line code does that mean it's a zero um budget or just information wasn't put there? Um for example you and then um my other question is if the actual is more than the budget >> how is that allowed and um how do you guys go about covering that >> difference and is it through transfers because I've seen a lot of transfers >> here so here's what I'm going

102to suggest because I think this will be very helpful as was mentioned before this session we're hearing comments and that's completely appropriate, but it really is not intended to be a Q&A. What I would highly recommend because it sounds like you're very interested and we we we want informed, you know, people in our community. So, please >> make a separate appointment to meet with Dr. Kley. He will answer all of those questions. And then moving forward, what we do is starting in January, we start talking about the budget process. And each meeting we go line by line and we detail every single thing that's in that 107 page report. We answer all questions at that time because it's a it's sort of a different forum to do just that. So um I can assure you

103that you can get some immediate questions answered now. You'll understand a little bit more about how it's put together and then moving forward you can certainly be avail yourself of that process. >> Okay. just if you can just clarify part for that for example like there's no number for attaining retainer legal fees in here it's zero but I'm just asking because it just it's that that kind of I was interested so if you can explain that to say any questions you have but I will reach out to Mr. Kley if you don't mind another thing if I wanted detailed information is that something I have to foil or >> why don't you try why don't you try just make an appointment with Dr. Oakley see where you're at and then he'll exc everything that we

104have is on the website. We're completely transparent on everything that we're doing. So >> anything you want you could see and please make in Dr. Kley and you know he'll explain the numbers to you because >> I appreciate that. >> Thank you. >> Right. Good. Please state your name and your >> You want to say my school my kids in? My name is Eric Abby. I am the president of Kowanas devotion side and my children are alumni of this school but I could say my one student is at grad school at Bingmpington. Uh Mr. Blau took some of my thunder away but I want to give the whole thing here. Kuanas devotion side is having our annual installation honore dinner on October 16th as he mentioned at cumbercaras temple of this year there are two

105honories besides uh Dr. Glickman Rogers. There is also Michael Puma who is our winner uh our honore for the heart of gold award. He is from the East Rockaway Oceanside Raiders football program. Uh you know, please consider coming out. Honor these individuals who are being honored. Have some really great food. If you've never had a convert catering meal, you'll enjoy yourself. And of course, friendship is always welcome. Thank you. >> Thank you, Mr. Abby. Is there any more question? Uh yes, ma'am. >> Yes. Um, >> last one. >> Okay. So, I got I guess I have a couple of quick uh questions and a comment. Well, by the way, I'm here uh to stand with uh in support of the Sarido uh case. Um >> your name and your name. >> My name my name

106is Rita and my kids are out of school. >> Okay. >> Uh they graduated quite a while ago. Anyway, um so I guess I have a question and I guess it's a simple yes or no. So, the attorney that the at the the law firm that you secured to um fight to keep uh Sarah out of school, is is that like your district attorney or was it outside counsel? Did you hire them as outside counsel? >> Yes. No. >> Quick. It's it's this is I don't want a conversation. Yes or no? >> I don't I don't have that. The answer is I don't know. But we can we can we'll next next month we'll we'll let you know. >> I don't have that that answer in front of me. >> How how how can you

107not know that? I mean you you secure a lot of >> So So first of all, please respectfully understand that people have come to the mic and made certain statements that I want to just once again say that that there are definitely different very strong differently uh perspectives on it which we're not in we're not at liberty to share. Okay. But that being said, to answer your your very uh important question, we belong as a school district to an with an insurance reciprocal. It's called NICER, NYSIR. So when these kinds of cases come up, which are a little outside the norm of the of the routine things that school attorneys do, we circulate it through NICER and they help us u make the decisions as to how to proceed and they provide the attorneys. So

108we pay into this reciprocal and this consortium. We don't pay per case. >> So, you're telling me that the attorneys that fought to keep this this student out of school was not a separate >> You're representing it in a certain way that again I'm I'm not >> I'm representing it accurately. They sat there in the courtroom and they fought to keep the girl the the student out of school. >> Okay. We're not going to respond a different We're not going to respond to any type of students situation. >> But you're objecting to my phrasiology. It's 100% accurate. That's what they do. I mean lawyers fight and that's what >> I'm not going to respond to you but if you'd like to keep on speaking you can. >> Okay. So that was an outside outside law

109firm and you're saying that the fees that you pay into this cornium it takes care of it and you don't pay one single dollar separately to them. You sure about that? >> Really? >> Okay. Just go ahead. Any other questions? >> No. No. That's how you described it to me. >> Yeah. Any other questions? >> That's how you explained it to me, Miss Harrington. I'm repeating it back to you. Is this >> This ain't designed to be a back and forth. >> You don't like what I'm saying. questions. Would anything else that you'd like to say? >> By the way, in 48 other states in America and dozens of other de developed democracies in the world, this would not be an issue. And you talk about the health of all children. 48 other states can

110function with a medical exemption. Oh, you have a doctor's note. Hey, great. Welcome to the first day of school. So, please, all right, don't. By the way, whatever law firm that you're using, they're giving you really bad legal advice. And that happens that happens in school districts. It happened in a school district that I I tangled with u many years ago and the the the law firm ended up getting fired because they were disseminating such poor information. Uh last question. Did any of the board members or I don't know any administrators read the um read the transcript from the the court? >> We're not going on August 12th. >> We're not going to comment on yes or no. We're not Why would you have We're not going to comment on any impending litigation that's on

111right now. >> Was either there or not going to comment on any litigation. >> I'm not asking you for a comment. I'm asking did you read the transcript? It >> We're not You don't like my questions. These are good and fair questions. They're yes or no questions. >> This is unbelievable. You won't answer any questions. These are yes or no. These are fair questions. You just had a lawsuit. 200 people, 400 people attended and listened to it. Were any of you there or did any of you read the transcript? >> Thank you. >> Okay. >> Did you Did you read the transcript? Read the transcript. You have it paid for. You have any other questions? >> Well, I'm sure. And I'm going to find out how much you paid for it. And also those poor

112attorneys that hired, they were embarrassing, by the way. >> Thank you. >> How you doing, Miss Harrington and chairman? >> Dr. Oh, doctor. Okay. >> Not a medical doctor. Trust me. >> I got you. Anyway, um I was at the court. >> I'm sorry. Point of information. If we could just get his name and it's uh school that his child goes to my name is not important. Neither is my child's name. Just let me talk. >> It was absolutely despicable. Do you live in the community? >> It was despicable and disgusting as that girl's family. >> Can you take that as a gnome, sir? You could take it any way you want. >> I'll take that as a no. Thank >> And I just want to say that thank God that we had a fair

113judge, Gary Brown. He's a very fair judge. He went indepth in this case. And a couple of the ridiculous points that were made was you people at your board here have no problem if a child has active hepatitis. And yet this girl >> unless I know you're not going to speak. I know you're not going to speak. I just rather >> This is important. This is important. >> If you'd like to make a statement that you think is correct, fine. >> This is important. >> Okay. >> So, it is important. The girl also had titers that showed that she did have heped. [Music] >> We're not speaking about what was the ultimate disgusting. I'm going to make a motion to adjourn your Chelsea. Thank you. that apparent