001Pledge for >> I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic stands one nation under God indivisible with liberty and justice for all. Can I get a recommended motion to approve the revised September 9th, 2025 board of education meeting agenda as presented? >> I'll make second. >> Any discussion? All those in favor? >> Opposed? Dr. Spado, sorry. I just want to thank everyone for a premier opening that we had uh this week. Thank you to the administrators, facilities department, transportation department. We really had a smooth and flawless opening and this hard work and planning those everyone on the cabinet board of education for supporting and the messages just keep the the momentum going each and every day. So thank you to all of you for a great vote
002today. And what what we have for us tonight is a presentation of our facilities and capital project update. our director of facilities of soup try out. Where >> would you like to call? >> Thank you S. >> Good evening everybody. >> I know some of you are newcomers to the board. So hopefully get to know you a little bit more as we work our way through the school year. No fancy slideshow or anything like that. Just a couple talking points I want to bring everybody up to speed. Primarily our phase five of our 2019 CAPO project. So our high school controls were about 80% complete. This was a recommended project based on a 2023 2024 survey that was conducted. We wanted to match all of our primarily heating controls that we have in all of
003our other schools and have that same uh process accomplished in the high school. So, it's I'm looking forward to it. It'll give us a better uh well controls essentially in the high school so we can keep the heat even in every classroom. It'll help us protect some of our critical systems like our boilers, third party monitoring. We can get better with our energy savings and try to reduce some cost in terms of our our heating bills when the winter months hit. Uh so we're about 80% complete as of today. Uh the fall months with school in session now we're shifting to second shift work. Do we have a full expectation of a completed job by the time heating season comes around middle October or so? So, we're looking forward to that. And if you have
004any questions at any point on any of the work being done, feel free to reach out to me whenever. Um, I wanted to take a couple minutes and highlight a couple things that facilities department has worked on over the summer and even previous to the summer. I don't know if you've noticed or been into Second Street yet, but the entirety of the parking lot's been rewrited. So, better visibility, better indication of where the parking spots are. Really excited that Jess, we're working on some improvements to our signage on the main campus. You've noticed that at first, second, and third street, there's kind of an old street sign looking directional sign, you know? So, if you come in First Street, where does that where does that bring you? Uh really excited to work with Paul and
005Tabitha, get some ideas back and forth, and uh we're getting ready to go ahead with the installation of some new signage, better branding, and hopefully just better clarity for visitors and staff, students as they come on campus. We'll follow up with the elementary schools after we kick this one off. So, um excited. We're we're installing two cellular communicators on our fire alarm panels in the high school and middle school. We're eliminating our copper lines. the department's been working on getting rid of the copper line. So, we're excited to see that transition to cellular, just a better product overall. So, we did have our insurance risk assessment at the beginning of the summer months. So, excited to get together with the facilities committee when we kick off and bring everybody up to speed on what the
006assessment uh came back with. some housekeeping tips, tricks, and guides, some things that were pointed out that uh we're excited to make minor adjustments, see changes there. And to coincide with the risk assessment, we also had our annual fire safety inspection at the end of August. I'm waiting on the report from Boseis for that. All in all, I think we did really well small improvements in areas where we can educate and foster uh fire and life safety, the importance of fire and life safety. So, we'll start working that as I get the report. We'll discuss that at the committee as well. Uh, I wanted to take a second and finish on our extreme heat guidelines and the policy that was recently adopted by the district and pursuant to the state legislation. I pushed out an
007email to all of our staff uh basically a guide, right? when we hit 82 degrees in the classroom or we suspect we're hitting 82 degrees in the classroom, the teachers, staff have been instructed to contact the main office who in turn will contact us. We'll come up and read the temperature in the room according to the policy. Um, and then we'll we'll take mitigation steps to try to relieve any heat related discomfort uh before temperature gets to 88 degrees. So, we've opened up I I have an open door policy. So, teachers, staff, administrators, I'm I'm always available to help kind of guide any discussions that they might have or troubleshoot any problems as we work our way through that new piece of legislation. And uh I really want to just take an opportunity to thank
008the board for your support. I also want to give a shout out to the entire facility staff who they turned our buildings over this summer and waxed and cleaned and our maintenance gentlemen, our groundskeepers who keep the grounds tidy and neat. uh we we couldn't do without them all. So, just want to give them a little shout out and uh they work hard every day. So, does anybody have any questions for me? >> Do I do um do we have any projects that were going on over the summer that maybe didn't quite get completed that are like after hours and overnights trying to get completed now or nothing major? >> Nothing major. Uh with summer school and the middle school, we were a little late in some of our loan painting. Um, so there was
009a little bit of overtime there for the staff there to make sure we were ready to go at the moment, but other than that, we're we're on schedule. Good. If you ever need me, email, call me. If you don't have my cell phone number, I'll get it to you and uh feel free to reach out. Thanks for everything you do. Next on the agenda is amended municipal uh cooperation agreement with holster orange holster school district's health plan. Uh recommend motion that board of education approve the amended municipal cooperation agreement for orange holsters district's health plan as presented. I'll make a motion. >> I'll second. >> Any discussion? All those in favor >> post motion carries >> public comments. >> Hi everyone. Um my name is Alicia Colmer. I have four children in the district. an
010eighth grader, sixth grader, and twins who are in third grade at Marble Township here. >> Five, right? >> Four. >> No, that was you. No, Pete. >> You Yes. Yes, I do have um my husband also teaches 8th grade in the middle school. Um so I'm here on behalf of the middle school PTSA. This is my fifth school year on the board of the PTSA, my second as PTSA president. So, first I just want to thank you for the opportunity to speak and for your leadership and commitment to the schools. As the middle school PTSA president, I'd like to give you just a snapshot of the impact that our parent community has within the district, specifically at the middle school. Last year, the PTSA raised nearly $25,000. Um, and reinvested those funds directly into our
011students in school. Um, that included fully funded field trips for every grade level, staff appreciation events, support for the middle school play, the district art show, and even basics like nurses snack funds. In many cases, we step in to fill the needs that the school district and the budget simply just cannot cover. Um, we're not just fundraising either. We are building community. Our events like the walk-athon, tip, teacher, and restaurant to the rescue bring students, families, staff, and local businesses together. Um, every week we also send out updates to our middle school staff and families so that parents can stay connected and informed. But we know that our reach is limited. So, this is where your partnership is vital to us. families trust and listen to district leadership. When you highlight PTA and PTSA events
012in your communication, when you encourage parents to get involved, um you help us legitimize the work that we are doing inside the schools and inspire families to participate. Looking forward, one of our biggest goals is to strengthen parent engagement. The more that families feel connected, the stronger the schools become. Um, we'd love your help in promoting our offerings and events more broadly and in celebrating the unique partnership between parents, teachers, administration, and the district. Our walk-athon is the middle school's largest fundraiser. Um, over the past three years, we've raised between 10,000 and 13,000 annually from this event. Um, and that accounts for nearly half of the money we raise each year. So, this is thanks in part to generous sponsorships from local businesses who do believe in supporting our schools. Um, if anyone knows anyone
013who owns a local business who might be interested in a sponsorship as a charitable donation, we've appreciate that tremendously. But the real impact comes from student participation. And unfortunately, last year we had about 90 out of over 600 students participate receive pledges this year. So that means that there is enormous potential for growth in this event into something making this event into something more meaningful for our community. Our event this year is on October 11th from 12:00 to 4 at the athletics track. Our goal is to raise $12,500. And we're hoping with additional ideas and support that we'll find new ways to engage families, increase student involvement, and maximize both the fundraising and sense of pride that comes when students see themselves contributing directly to their schools. It's very important to me to note that
014the middle school PTSA serves only grades four through eight. Our students and families are supported every step of the way by the Marbletown and Forson Elementary PTAs as well as the newly formed high school PTSA. Their work is truly a labor of love and unsung and unrecognized pretty often but absolutely essential. Just like us, they rely on community support to keep going. And together we create a continuum of care and opportunity for students from their very first days in the district all the way up through graduation. So this is just a little thank you and um we are grateful for the chance to collaborate with you and the Brind community and for the opportunity to speak at the November board meeting as the world the PTA TSA presidents will do. We look forward to continuing
015to work side by side to make sure that every student in our district has access to opportunities, resources, and a vibrant school community. So thank you for that. I do want to echo I know that you know community members um have reached out you know and and have asked you know sometimes board members in general have asked me you know how they can be heard and how their voices can be heard and that's the best place to start is with your PTAs and your PTSAs they meet with their principles and that's that's the avenue that is the correct chain of command to really have your voices heard. So, those that really want to be involved, that's your that's really your biggest ticket to really get um get involved with with everything. >> Superintendent of Schools
016consent agenda items. I recommend motion that the board of education approve the consent agenda items 1 through 20 as presented. I'll second. >> Any discussion? All those in favor? >> Motion carried. Nancy, do you have anything? >> All right. Um so first up um on my agenda is our discussion of our board goals for this coming year. So Dr. Scario is going to um post last year's goals and as a board um we can review these and uh choose if we're rolling any of them over, editing any, adding any. Um, as a reminder, our goals as a board, we are very high governance. Okay? We we do the what. This is what we would like to see. Um, it is Dr. Spado's um job as well as his administrative team to focus on the how.
017Um, so that's really how we want to we want to look at this. Um, and I know those of you um are are veteran board members um can help take the lead with these. And then obviously we still want to hear from our new board members, but as this is your first time going through board goals, you know, feel free to ask questions. Um, so our first goal um here is to provide a safe, engaging learning environment that promotes progress towards academic achievement and excellence. I know we've all gotten a copy of these. Um, Dr. Vado emailed them to us earlier. Um, is there anything here we need to to update Nicole? >> So, a lot of these goals align essentially with our um our board committees. So, a lot of the discussions that are
018happening in our committees is kind of where these are birthed from. We did have a curriculum committee meeting and we did touch upon our goals. Um, and so for this particular goal, this is ours essentially, we want to where it says review and approve a multiple unit plan for updating the district's math and ELA curriculum. So I think that the top part of the goal still stands, right? I wouldn't recommend changing that, but our actionable items here. We did review and approve a multi-year plan that involves stakeholders and accomplish that goal. So I think we want to tweak that to now read implement our new math and and ELA curriculum. Um, so wording it a little bit nicer than that, but essentially we did do that first item and we want to now implement it.
019>> So that's the first bullet, right? >> Yeah, that's the first >> first bullet. >> Okay. And then the second bullet, review and monitor data on an annual basis with the goal of seeing an increase in state test scores. We're doing this more than just on an annual basis. We're getting regular updates from the superintendent regarding our START state star assessments, but also our state test scores. We reviewed that at our last curriculum committee meeting as well. Um we're really really proud of the progress we've made this year. We've made a lot of gains in our state test scores. So we're really excited about that, but there's still room to grow there. So, I don't know that I would change this one. We want to continue to review and monitor data. We want to continue
020to see our state test scores increase um to be at or above the county average for those number of students scoring in the proficient range. And if anyone has anything to add to this conversation, please just join in. >> Um but I think did you want >> I mean you referenced it. I was just going to make a comment on the annual because I think it should be more than an annual basis. It sounds like we're doing that already. So maybe we just tweak that to recognize >> continue to review and monitor data. >> Sure. Or quarterly basis >> with the goal of seeing an increase in state test scores. >> Yeah. And then review and approve a plan to deliver professional development specifically for universal design UDL throughout the district. So we I'm going
021to look to me on this. We've been doing that, right? So we have we've been implementing professional development this past year. We did >> continue to implement. Is that would that be We didn't talk about that, but it's going well. We should still continue with that. >> Yeah, feel a little bit different. That's why instructional >> Well, we're still implementing. >> Are we the board reviewing? >> We did already. That's we've done that in the past. So that's why we're just continuing to implement that. >> We also have professional development on other topics, but that was a big piece of what we we felt we needed to do. And if you're not essentially and then maybe you can help with explaining it, but it's just essentially making sure that all learners have access to the
022curriculum. >> Correct. Both the way that they're receiving it and showing their demonstrating It's best practices essentially. >> So supporting our teachers with that >> and then the second goal there. Is there any >> any on that first? >> On that first goal, >> let's move to the next goal. >> Okay. The district will create and sustain collaborative partnerships that foster academic excellence, learning opportunities for all students, and a positive culture in our schools and our community. Can we just go back to the first goal for a second? Sorry. Um, the only thing that I feel like isn't reflected in these bullets is engaging. So, how do we know that the learning environment is engaging for students? >> And maybe that's too in the needs and not That's that's that's the how that's so now
023ours are the high governance. So we're very very overarching goals. Then do uh Dr. Federo takes our goals >> and he breaks them down to his goals that he will then share with us at our next meeting and he focuses on the house. >> And those are typically more like the smart kind of goals where you have your metrics that he's going to be aiming to to meet. So, >> I think it's a good point to raise um engagement, make sure our students are feeling I think that benefits everybody and and ultimately we'll we'll see an increase in our test scores if our students are engaged in the learning process. >> Are we saying we need another bullet? Is that what what's James said or just for Dr. Spero when he puts his >> I
024think so. Right. Because I think that ultimately it'll come through. >> Yeah. We'll be able to see that I agree with was pro it's part of the how >> this one has. So our first bullet here said that um we would review and approve a process that brings all stakeholders together to review and discuss data, develop and review improvement action plans that are vertically aligned and provide continuity and consistencies in all schools. So this was z. >> So we were trying to create a process development education >> leaders together. So it's a comprehensive district comprehensive. Yeah. >> Um but without calling it that. That's what another district labeled it. but ultimately to create a team that comes together to review our data and discuss um ongoing goals. Um you have a leadership team that does
025that. Maybe you could speak just a little bit to that and what you did this past with your leadership team. >> Yes. So we bring all the schoolbased leadership teams together and look at data. They create their strategic goals based on the tech data, academic data based on climate survey. They have social emotional goals. They have academic goals. They have inclusivity goals. >> And that's what they come to the board meetings with, right? They come the principles then present what their leadership team had created as a result of this process. Is that right? >> Do you have a name for it? Do you call it something? We are we are uh contracting out with a consultant to come in and working on a three to five year strategic plan. So that'll that'll start once we
026get all this the board goals and then our goals. A consult will come in and we'll start diving into where do we want to be three three to five years from now. So we're going to be working on a strategic plan starting in in the late winter early spring. >> Do you wanna do we want to somehow reflect that in in this? It's very wordy that >> Yeah, that is word. I know. I'm trying to look at trying to figure out how I was thinking is very wordy >> because we have a process now, right? We reviewed and you approved a process. You put it in place. So maybe just take that piece out. Um we've put leadership teams to review improvement action plans on a on an annual basis. I don't know if you
027want to be as specific since today we're going to have a strategic plan. >> Well, these are our goals. So to approve um to develop and review a strategic plan. >> Does that push you all in though? Does that mean you have to do it? >> Well, that that that's we're going to do it. We're hiring someone to come help us go through the process. >> And basically with everything that New York Spires is going through with all the changes, >> we're figuring this is where we're going to be going in the next three to five years with a portion of graduate. >> We'll be shifting to those skills, decoupling of the regent exams, students creating their own pathways for success. We feel like this is kind of the state is kind of like guiding
028us this way. Then I feel like our strategic plan should be >> implemented in 25 26 year >> or is the strategic >> probably I think we're going to develop yeah because again we got all stakeholders involved in strategic plans and we'll have groups come in and you know basically where do you want the district to be >> maybe so just maybe saying to develop and approve a strategic plan that guides the district for the next three to five years something. I don't know. I'm sorry. Did you want >> district? >> This goal is about collaborative partnerships. So all all stakeholders will be involved in developing the strategic plan. >> Okay. >> So when we did our last strategic plan five years ago, it's we involved everybody >> um parents, administrators, teachers, >> students. So
029shouldn't the goal be about approving the strategic plan and then the bullets could be about ensuring all the stakeholder engagement? I don't this I just don't really understand how these things connect. The second bullet talks about like when I see collaborative partnerships I don't think stakeholder engagement more the second bullet which is about relationships with postsecondary institutions maybe other programs that contribute to or foster academic excellence and learning opportunities. >> So originally it sustains sustained collaborative partnerships that foster academic excellence. So we were bringing leadership teams from all the building, schools, parents, students. We were hoping to bring all of them together into a room, >> review data, discuss where our strengths are and where we need to improve and create actionable items from that. Like so that is why that originally fell under >>
030partnership >> under that foster academic excellence and learning opportunities for all students. >> Um so a strategic plan I think is what's being birthed out of that. So just to kind of think, right? So it may be shifting the original goal. So and that's fine to change if you want to put all if the board wants a goal just as a strategic plan. I don't I think you can just have it >> can still serve them. Well, so hold I just want to ask about the just as a general goal like some of it's there's a lot in there and when I first read it I was like oh when it talks about like a positive culture in our schools are are we talking about what we talk about a lot which is instilling a
031sense of belonging for like students faculty and staff and that I mean that's the language we usually use would that make sense instead of saying positive culture when I when I read that I was like oh do we mean academic excellence 's premier school district, which we're already sort of saying. So then instead of positive school culture, I guess I wonder what if we said something like and instills a sense of belonging for all students, faculty, and staff in our schools and community. >> Just a little more specific about what we feel that >> and that would >> I like that >> that's essentially would be a goal, right? It's part of the strategic plan like they would develop goals on how to create a sense of calmness, right? because we'll be connecting it to
032the climate survey. Right. >> Right. >> Switch. in our school. >> Yeah. I guess I think Carrie maybe you also said like the first goal is very clearly about our academic excellence, right? So I mean this one is le this one is separate and >> just focus on sense of belonging or I actually like >> talking about positive culture in our schools because I think that and you know >> do you want to just take out the foster academic excellence and have it more focused more on the collaborative partnerships positive climate sense of belonging? >> Yeah, I'd be okay. Um but keep in learning opportunities for all students especially since we bullet there >> about secondary institutions >> I just take I would just take out >> excellence collaborative partnerships, >> right? >> That >>
033create that create learning opportunities for all students >> and create a sense of belonging. >> Could probably say again. >> Yeah. >> Some English teachers could >> it was bad. >> Well, how about the district? Well, so this is what the board is doing, right? So, >> this is a board goal. So should we be saying what we're doing? Should we saying the board will ensure collaborative partnerships or something >> or the board? >> It's the district. >> The district will >> foster collaborative partnerships >> like we really creating >> or we just foster would be a better word. >> Foster. I like that. >> Yeah. So then for the bullets, um I we could probably just keep it very um simple in the the board of education will develop and approve a strategic plan
034>> that guides that guides the district to review and discuss data. Develop Yeah, I don't think >> or do we just say develop and approve a strategic plan to be implemented in the 2627 school year? >> That feels better to me. And then my question >> so develop a strategic plan. to be implemented in 26 months. Everything else goes >> but the strategic plan is not just about sense of belonging. >> No, strategic plan has different >> right. >> It has it all in there. >> So then my question is why is that a sub >> um >> because it's a goal to make sure that we approve it and and it gets >> that's how we're right. It's an actionable item. >> It's the what we want. It's it's an it's actionable. This is
035what we want. It's the over and it's the overarching. And then Dr. Spedo will do the how. >> Right. But should that be the overarching goal instead of bullet? >> Where the strategic plan will incorporate everything we need in that goal >> as well as things in the previous goal. >> Yeah. The strategic plan is basically Yeah, it's usually a three to five year plan. We just finished that last. >> So maybe we say we'll develop and approve a strategic plan that um that's specific to this one, right? That outlines the ways in which we'll create a sense of belonging in our schools or something or that outlines how we how we review data. >> Well, that's that's the how part. So that's Dr. Spado's piece. >> No, that's the what part. That's what's included
036in the strate. we're developing a and approving a strategic plan that includes this thing, right? Then Dr. Spedair does the thing. But I'm just saying like if the strategic plan connects to all of to the two goals we've already discussed, maybe it needs to be a bullet under both and specifically referencing the pieces in those goals. So in the first goal, it's develop and approve a strategic plan that something something about academic excellence. And here it's develop and approve a strategic plan that's something something about >> it's it's applicable goals. >> Yeah, >> it's an actionable item you could have in >> because you could argue the strategic plan includes all that actionable items we have. Mhm. >> So, do we just have a goal, an overarching goal that says to like at the like
037maybe towards the end that says to develop and approve a strategic plan that >> what you just said like it just >> Yeah. >> that that that includes all our previous goals. >> All the goals, right? So, like This is so hard to do. [Laughter] >> The first goal is about test scores, right? Academic excellence, getting our career school district, our kids being very successful and >> uh what New York State thinks that they should be right. So >> the second one is about >> second one is about a positive school climate, culture and collaborative relationships >> and sense of belonging >> and a sense of belonging. So those are kind of you got your academics, you got your social emotions, right? Two different goals. The strategic plan I hear what she's saying should encompass
038both of those. >> So then we could make it a separate bowl. >> Yeah. Because it Yeah. >> Right. >> Covers covers both. >> So you could put it in both spots or you could put it somewhere else in the dot. What do you think? Put it in both spots or so. >> Um, I probably would recommend having one goal that is to approve the district strategic, right? We need to move a three to five year plan feels like a big thing. And then the sub bullets would be um to to provide a safe engaging learning environment. Well, you're just copy past. You're gonna cheat on it. >> So, this is a you're keeping this goal, right? >> Yes. The first does the first goal should be the strategic plan because that's kind of like
039our plan to reach these. Yes. And then you're including research strategic. >> That's what I would say. And then I think there's so you're including the two goals we just discussed as bullets underneath the strategic plan. And then you have some of the other bullets that are listed here which are around like one bullet should just be around reviewing and monitoring data not just the academic data but the data related to climate survey um I'll pause let me know you good okay um yeah so now what I would do and I should all say there is that I would take that second goal up there and that should we can reword it but it should become a sub bullet of the strategic plan because we're saying that these things are part of right that our
040strategic plan is not just about sense of belonging but it's also about about academic excellence it's probably about some of the other things that are on here as well >> yes >> um what you think >> should a line of a line to portrait of a graduate align to a portrait of a new like that specific or is that me >> that's whatever you if you want to be more specific >> I would think that makes sense that's where we're all making >> that's where we're trying to that's where we're headed is to >> and we could say creative three to five your strategic plan aligned to portrait of a graduate that dot dot dot provides a safe engaging learning environment. Um >> false starters what like underneath so okay actually yeah it's fine I
041think it's fine um >> so these are your these are the action steps >> from the board right under we're not creating I think we're recording Right. We approve >> two. >> I don't know, but >> and monitor >> review and approve. >> Yeah. Review. So then I would probably remove or just Where's the other gold that we were just talking about? I would move it up as another bullet. Um not not Yeah, that one. This one here. So review Um so here we I would almost break this into two potentially. So one is about fostering collaborative partnerships which I think feels relevant to all of the aspects of the strategic plan. So the bullet could be foster collaborative partnerships and maybe find what they are >> and then create a belonging >> and then
042there's another bullet that says um I don't know that we're creating but ensure learning opportunities for all students and a sense of belonging for community. So the second bullet would be foster collaborative partnerships. Um creating opportunities and >> and I would get rid of create a sense of belonging because That seems like the how. We're not doing that directly. >> Are we? >> I would say create ensure learning >> opportunities and a sense of goal, >> right? >> And then so the second bullet would just be foster collaborative partnerships. I would personally define what the partnerships are that you're referring to because it was confusing to me. So, um, you know, I could say >> with awesome >> with community members, parents, >> community based organizations, >> I don't know exactly like who else you
043want to include there. Leadership, >> trades, teachers, community college, secondary, other secondary down at the bottom. I don't know if we want >> Well, it was under that, >> right? >> So, that was number two. >> Right. It wasn't um there was Yeah. >> So, foster collaborative partnerships. The second bullet, get rid of everything after partnerships. >> Why? Why? >> Because we have that we have it up. It's not are we keeping it below >> ensure learning opport action steps the like the >> no I mean right third bullet ensuring learning opportunities >> we should we should add for allet >> but we should add for all students to that third one somewhere after after belonging >> I would say takeaway ensure learning opport opportunities because that to me doesn't make sense either. I would
044say for that one keep mention a positive school culture and a sense of belonging for all students >> and keep the create learning opportunities for all students. >> Okay. >> Yeah, I'll take that. >> So, sorry Paul. So if you remove ensuring learning opportunities from the third bullet, but want to mention a positive school climate, >> ensuring our schools have a have a >> and that students have a sense of belonging something like that. culture. >> Sure. >> Oh yeah. >> Also, I think of belonging in our school. >> I don't think I think it's I think we have to we want to ensure positive school culture and a sense of belonging not just to our students. >> Right. >> Yeah. I just No, we need to get rid of that that word with the
045learning opportunity side. schools have a positive belonging in our schools and community who has a sense of >> I mean we're hoping everyone rights have parents >> is this too custodians >> yeah know that that's That's true. >> There's a sense of belonging for everyone. >> What did you say? >> Partnerships. >> Um, >> what's for all sense a sense of belonging for all in our school? >> For everyone in our school community, the school community. Does everyone feel like they're included in that sense of belonging for everyone in our school community? >> Hoping that people will read everyone is really everyone. So what's below that now? >> I think sorry this is just nitpicky but I think we can just say ensure a positive school culture. >> And the first one can say just
046start like provide so that they all consist of >> sorry less words is better. Do you have any thoughts? >> I do think we still need the goals down below because that's where it gets into data and you know academic goals. >> So we should have another bullet here about data, right? >> Not necessarily because we can catch it at a different goal. They don't all have to be under one specific goal. So the high level goal here is academic focus. I think we need another dark bullet above this. >> So right here. You want >> I think it was above And this is our academic. >> So it's essentially a tweaking of the first bullet under the strategic plan. >> It was the first bullet pretty much provide a safe engaging learning environment. But
047again I think we can keep it very simple. Um, >> you want to use wild language for premier schools? >> Yeah, that that's a good idea to continue on the pathway of of premier district focus with academic >> excellence achieve excellence. my life world >> promoting progress >> of becoming >> towards academic achievement and excellence. continue on the path of being a world premier school district promoting >> promoting academic excellence progress that was pretty do you want to do academic >> excellence curs personal just makes sense for me that's all brilliant. So the only thing I'd say about this is I think the goal of combining these things above was that they're all this is also part of the strategic plan, right? So is this not duplicative? Like would it make more sense to have
048another bullet above that's more specific about >> So I don't I would have to say I think the portion of a graduate is not all-encompassing um academic excellence in our elementary school. So the portion of a graduate A lot of it and again correct me if I'm wrong but a lot of it was focused on the secondary. >> So and what our a lot of our curriculum work right now is focused on K through eight essentially >> um mostly K through six we're working on that seven eight. >> So then maybe this is just about K through eight curriculum this goal. I think it's if you scroll down a little bit Paul what we need to do is is we need to cover these right goals right which is our datadriven focus on the academic
049so we needed a header >> to cover that yes it may be covered in the strategic plan >> but I still think we need a specific goal the state that we need fall to identify smart goals around that improvement >> that that was my thinking here >> the strategic plan is going to cover everything but it's not just going to be one goal like everything we have the strategic goal encompasses >> everything >> um including facilities and so it it's so it's it's we still want just our different headers so that he can formulate his goals on the how >> for the different components >> especially because we don't have the strategic goal until until the spring but we want him to start working on some of these other goals before the strategic plan. If
050that's the case then and we're still keeping this separate goal, I would say I don't want to lose a separate goal. It's just about positive school culture, >> which I think was it's still down there, right? >> Traffic is that it's underneath the strategic plan. I think it could still stay there and just glue on and use a separate goal that's focused on that as well. >> I would. >> So we can just pull that bullet out. I think those bullets should get rid of this one before. >> Yeah. item reviewing and goal setting. You can just two leads to add disagregating the data because that I think specifically speaks to a sense of belonging and that's really understanding >> that's the I I mean I think that that's the so that's >> so >>
051that's what the administrative team we don't >> like have to break it down they will break it down to share it with us Okay. >> But we're saying we're going to review the data, right? So, they'll do that. But I think I don't know. I don't I think it's okay to put it in there. Just if we're saying what data we want to review, right? Is that basically what we're saying here? The board will review climate survey survey data to ensure that we're >> right >> that we have a positive school a positive culture on our schools. >> Right. So couldn't we just say we're going to disagregated climate survey data and also would the the new K through 12 curriculum committee somehow be included here? I don't know what our role is in that.
052>> I was going to say I don't that's a committee though, not a board. >> Yeah. >> So it wouldn't she because she asked about the the new seal um >> Oh. >> No. Um but the committee, >> but I guess we would then approve right at the end of the committee. So maybe that's what goes on here. >> We could though put in there review and approve anal curriculum. >> It's not necessarily a committee, but >> yeah, >> review and approve anal. >> Do you want to put all curriculum? So correct me if I'm wrong. We would just be responsible for approving. The committee does the review. >> Well, we before we vote, >> right? Right. Okay. >> But it's not like we look at >> they would present us with a recommendation. We
053would review it and approve it at the board level. >> Progress monitor, see if it's working or not. I think >> we can >> the postsecary was something that was brought up. >> Yeah, I think it it was L. And I'm not sure if we actually did anything with that. Did we? I know we're talking about different tracks or different um the AP courses versus what's that? >> Yeah, IB college, high school, >> right? >> Is that something we should be looking into? You think Paul or >> graduating students? No, the the um college readiness and >> the connection are sec our postsecary institutions helping our kids how successful aging, how successful they are. trade whatever. >> Yeah. Their choice after it's a lofty goal. I just think we're one more thing. >> I mean,
054I think it could also connect to the portraits of a graduate and just postsecaryways in general. Yeah. >> But I I definitely I think it'll just come out in the strategic I mean, I think this one's going to just um I don't think this I mean, this goal I think it's I don't think we have to change anything here. >> Yeah, this is pretty standard. Can we just go Sorry. Go back up to the one before because we talked about the last board meeting the safety data. >> Oh, I thought that I thought we had one. >> All right. Thank you. >> I think there's a safety one. >> Yeah, I see it. Okay. >> But I think our fiscal one is fine. >> Mhm. >> Was it good with the fiscal? >> Yes. All
055right. safe and secure learning and working environments. I don't know. Do you want to speak to >> I guess I'm also thinking more Yeah, I guess this is facilities but >> we wanted to >> Yeah, because we want it to be safe for everyone. >> It's their environments. It's a learning environment where if you go to work, you go to work in a learning environment, right? Where kids are learning or teaching. Maybe I don't know. >> Everyone who works at the school. >> Yes. If you're >> What if we just put schools? >> Safe and secure. >> That's Yeah. >> Period. I also wonder if we want to update this to reflect all your language around a multi-pronged safety approach because this feel definitely feels more about the physical safety and I think it should
056include that >> that like a review and approved >> um >> yeah more ensure multi-dimensional Um, >> where are we on the first bullet? >> I was just saying that I I just per our last meeting that this goal should be more encompassing of our multi-prong safety approach, not just physical safety, but mental emotional safety. This sort of speaks to the sense of belonging as well. But yeah, I felt like the social emotional piece, sense of belonging was in the other goal and that this is more physical safety. Yeah, the buildings and grounds. >> Yeah, because this was birthed out of the the facilities committee, >> right? This one was out of the capital project. We should have something about data for one and the other one >> that we're re reviewing data on a
057regular basis. I think we said by annual um so the data is a climate survey data, right? That's what I was suggesting that it might go up better in the upper goal. The upper goal I think does have the word safe in it, doesn't it? >> Um, actually, no, I don't think it does. I think we took it out. >> Oh, we took it out. Um, but I do think the climate survey data is right there. But I also think we should be reviewing data for the other goal as well just to you know incident all those things. >> So can you add something to this one just that says that the board of education will review data >> related to safety we develop a new project plan. Right. >> Yeah. And then even in
058the first bullet by adopting a district-wide safety plan we already adopted. So implementing >> the district-wide safety plan, >> right? So that one could be implementing. >> Really? >> And then instead of selling capital plan, put uh plan and execute. implement. >> I don't know if that's the right plan >> or just >> yeah, execute or execute. Well, plan you have to plan which is our approved capital project. And so there should be one more bullet here I think around data >> review data. >> So we are doing the same >> review >> safety data. >> Yeah data on a bianual basis. Do we want to say or quarterly basis? I don't know >> how often we should >> I was gonna say I don't know if we would really want to tie ourselves to
059a specific timeline because >> so I think just saying review we can choose to review however often by asking particular data to be given to us so I think by just saying review >> it's just keeping us >> I think above will change it though right so for the academ Chemical. >> What did we >> We kept it general. >> Did we keep it general? >> Think so. >> Continue to review monitor safety data. >> Um, no. That's the academic. >> Yeah. And maybe we do the same thing for the school climate survey data. >> Keep going. Keep going. There. The first bullet. change it to >> um review and monitor. Uh what did we say? Continue to review and monitor. This is a new one though. So just >> it's a new one. >>
060Should we leave that one? >> I I just leave it. I'd keep it. I think >> I think this a much more overarching But there might be more data than just the climate survey data, right? So, right that best practice. >> It's true. >> Well, at the end of each year, we we pull like discipline data. We pull Yeah. >> students that have certain amount referrals. We see if they're getting SRT services. That's all. >> We don't see that. >> Yes. But I wouldn't wouldn't Paul still give us a bit of general >> right >> we could track habits of trends of attendance discipline >> schools and the schools through their spotlights they they kind of touch on these things as well like here's a threeear trend of attendance here's a threeear trend of this
061>> right >> that you guys will see that when they present to >> I think there's one more and it's just about policies it's pretty just gener review and updated policies. >> So, I was wondering about that one just because that looks so it looks a bit general the bullet um >> because we want it to be over. I get that >> and sometimes the policies um like the ones that especially that we have to update our attorneys, >> right? I Yes. and review and update its policies in a timely manner in alignment with the Rondo Valley School District mission and values or something like that. I mean, so I've only been to one policy committee meeting. Um, however, like we did have some conversations about the languaging and why and oh, but here in
062Rhonda we do this, so why don't we take out that word or oh, here's an example, the wired headphones piece, right? like was recommended that headphones not be allowed and we said actually some of our students a number of a lot of our students actually need the ability to to listen and so what about wired those phones and so we changed it right so I guess I was just looking for something that that added that piece right we are making some decisions we're not just looking at it and I don't know what up update is is super general but just something that says this is but in a in a way that's specific to Rada or specific to our mission alignment or something. >> But sometimes our policies are not to our mission. They are
063to state law. >> So that's why I don't want to tie it to >> Oh, because you're saying, oh, but it not every policy can align to, >> right? >> Some of it is based off of legislation and law. So that's why keeping it more of the general >> um I think in in in in practice when we have when we do have policies that we are updating or or or writing we do keep to our mission um right in in in in practice but not all of them can be um depending on if it's coming down from as a state law >> in alignment with our mission with possible I don't know how often How often do each of those comes out? In accordance to our mission state, Oh, there's a title in there.
064Align policy and practice >> as well as as well as >> Could we just say the seeks to align policy and practice with applicable state and federal laws and district mission? >> Yeah. >> Something. >> Yeah. because it kind of align policy and practice with state federal laws but all that >> align with strategic plan. >> So align policy and practice with state and federal federal laws and state and laws. What did you say? Um, >> the state federal laws stand policy. >> We just want to make sure we're not losing anything by removing the ongoing policy review cycle. Was that something that we were working on improving? Like is that has that been established? Are we >> Yeah, years past we had some that were expired. So, one of our goals we had to
065clean that up and we did actually. Um, >> so that it makes sense to >> Yeah, I think we're okay at this with the time man. >> Yeah, there's there's um each year like um a lot of times the policy committee will take will take a look at policy and send it to me. >> We also >> our lawyers for some update >> for some good time to take a look at our policy. there's some there's some policies in there that are quite outdated. So, it's kind of they were written a really long time ago, don't always make sense. >> Um, way back that were very specific policy saying that the board will vote on this plan in April every year and we don't do that. So, it's taking a look and it takes time
066to do that because every time you pull out a policy, it takes time to review it and to adjust and update. not always as simple as sending it to NISPA and getting one back that we can draft, right? >> Um, so it's really kind of taking the time to go through our policy manual update as >> would it make sense to have a bullet here that says something like that the board will commit to reviewing and updating a certain number of policies for the school year. >> I think that's hard to say. I think every year is a little bit different. >> Yeah. And it can be like they've been saying it can be guided by by the state and NISMA's guidance. So um and it's something that we're good at. We do it right.
067[Music] >> Some words are last slower than other. >> We're back. We're we're we're pretty much I feel like back to >> I don't think of concern that any of us have something to continue to do. Do we at this point have any policies that are comprised old 10 years old? Maybe a goal here should be that you know if something's aged at least 10 years they need to be reviewed and updated this year. Maybe that's something we push ourselves towards. >> Updated combined gotten rid of. >> Yeah. I would chair a policy. I don't know what you think about a goal like that. You want a goal? >> Reviewing like anything that's over 10 years old. >> I guess we >> too. >> We could say 10, but actually >> let's say 10. >>
068Yeah, we can start. >> Start with >> Yeah, exactly. >> And as Dr. But just said our our legal would have to weigh in on this because some of them may not >> Yeah. >> It doesn't matter how exactly it doesn't matter how old they are. >> Yeah. I don't think I'm I was planning we get rid of them. I'm just saying if they're 10 years old, they could be significantly out of date. >> Yeah. >> In terms of the terminology, >> they could just be reviewed reviewed and updated. >> Yeah. For example, we have a public comment policy that has an email address on there that that that'll be removed because that email address says >> right I have already sent that to to do looked >> I don't know maybe we're getting too
069granular but I think then maybe on policy we try to set that goal for ourselves those older policies and >> good Sure. >> This like do we is this it or do they then this gets posted on their website? >> So it's not aligning. [Laughter] >> Do you want to go over one more time? No. Read that. Okay, dude. Um >> maybe you could if you don't mind just sending them out in an email to us. >> Yes, please. >> And then we can look at it and send you an email if there's anything. >> Yeah. >> Heard that. >> So for time Jim starting with you. >> Sure. Uh the next policy meeting is September 22nd at 4 PM for anybody that's interested in uh I'm sure there'll be some policies that we review
070and adopt and update how it will be updated. And also uh so that's the policy meeting September 22nd at 4M. Uh on uh Friday, September 26th, we'll be celebrating the 25th anniversary of the state football champions. Uh the uh the members of that team have uh originally been invited to attend. Uh they will be doing, it's kind of cute, I think, a 5 to 6 p.m. uh autograph session with the boys. And then uh the game is at 6:00, I believe. And then following the game, there'll be something at a local restaurant for those who attend. Uh I'm in an envious position where as a board member, I can't coach in the district where I'm coaching over at New Falls. So we'll be playing over here and I'll be coaching on the other sidelines. So
071I'll write you a lot of email, you know, >> we got we got a blue shirt. I bleed blue. All right. I've worked there for 37 years. I also have to do things outside of the industry, right? To maintain my sanity. Uh, you know, to earn money, right? So, uh, this is why I choose to coach somewhere else. Uh, but yes, I believe Blue that only for 37 years coach head football coach for seven teams here. So, anybody that can come and make it, we appreciate it. Should be a night full of fun. and uh hope to see most of the players. Some I haven't seen. I know about 15 of them live locally and then another 15 are coming hopefully from wherever they are. And Paul's one of them Paul will be there. He
072said that would be that's all I have. >> Thanks. So the school year started off really great. Oh issues. my kids got to and from school okay it's very big deals to make happen. So thank you to everybody um who helped make the start of school. My kids are very happy. Everything's great. So thank you. I wish everybody a great start to the school year. Um we had our first um curriculum committee meeting that was talked about at our last meeting. Our next one is um October 9th. We're going to be reviewing the fast bridge data. Um, and we're gonna get be hearing about professional development update from Mr. >> Thanks. Um, I had my last first day as a parent, meaning my kid is a nurse, so his first day. He had a great
073day and he's having a great start of the school year. And my one question for him of course was was there a line like when you checked in in the morning first day I mean it was under couch for sure was he was like no really I mean I don't think he got there late but it sounded like it went quite well with all >> um I too as a parent of two sixth graders um was very happy with first few days um you know kids going from fifth grade to sixth grade they started moving classrooms. Um, a lot of anxiety at my house on uh Wednesday, I'm sorry, Thursday morning. Um, my kids came home. I said, "How'd it go?" And, "Wow, they went really fast." So, um, you know, great first few days.
074Um, kids are very excited to be at school. Um, along with what coach Mal said about the football game. Um, thanks to coach friends who was here and the uh football booster club for putting this together and reaching out to all the the athletes that like coach Feder from all over the place, Arkansas and I don't know there's some from all over the place. So, um it'll be it'll be a great night um to get back together. Last time we got together was at 10 years. So, um you know 15 years later, so that'll be exciting. Um, unfortunately I did miss the first safety uh meeting. I was in southern Florida to send out my vacation, but um I look forward to the next one on that. Um, I look forward to working with you
075on the facilities committee as board member and as local fire chief and to get you know things. >> So thank you Tom for giving us an update on the capital project. Uh our first facilities committee is on October 1st to start implementing new uh capital plans. >> My kids both also had their first day. They're both at the intermediate school. Things are going very smooth. Um I also got to be there on the first day at the high school which was super exciting. I don't think I've been part of your teacher and it was the excitement was palpable. you did a great job. And also the Ronda Valley Education Foundations, they presented and um just shared some information about their upcoming gala which is on September 20 21st 21st at 300 p.m. It's their 20th
076anniversary. Um and I think it's the first time in the galler, right? So come. It' be amazing to have as many people there as possible. They fund so many incredible programs, field trips, classroom supplies, lots of things. So, I will be there and I hope too. >> No, I was going to mention the gala as well. So, committee covered that. I don't have anything else. >> Um, I want to congratulate everybody. Um, definitely a very successful start of the year. I want to give um I I did try to um welcome everybody at the beginning on the first day and and did um I want to acknowledge Nancy with everything that she had to do this summer with HR. A lot of hires we've been approving personnel reports left and right. So kudos to Nancy
077and her department. And um a big thank you to to our director of transportation who um this year um it's been a smooth start with all our buses and everything. So, thank you so much for for getting our kids to school and hopefully >> um so now that we are back in session, um you know, just let's be mindful. I know we all support all our students in our district, but um keep tabs on whatever building you're a part of, um on your principal's newsletters, check out all those events. Um, as board members, we get these, you know, it's okay to go to some of these events, you know. Um, so whether even if your your child doesn't go to that building, it's kind of nice to see what's what's going on and and happening
078and stuff. And as parents, as I said before, get involved. You want your voices heard. Get in touch with your PTSA. Um, we have sports going on. I mean, I almost couldn't find a parking spot just to get to the meeting today. You know, there's a lot of activity going on soon. We're going to be hearing about all our bands concerts and all our arts and stuff. So, it's we have a lot of wonderful things happening in this district. So, let's support all our kids. >> Recommended motion that the board of education approve the financial reports for June 2025 as presented. >> I'll make a motion. I'll second. >> Any discussion? All those in favor? >> Opposed? Passes. Recommended motion to adjourn the September 9th, 2025 meeting as presented. >> Second >> discussion. All those
079in favor? >> Thank you everybody. Drive home safely.