Board of Education Meeting - March 24, 2026

001All right. Good evening. Thank you for joining us for the March 24th board of education meeting. If you could all join me with the pledge to the flag. >> I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. >> Okay. And we will begin this evening with our report of the superintendent, Dr. Murray. >> Great. Thank you. Good evening. Last week, we held our super superintendence conference day where our teachers and staff engaged in meaningful professional learning focused on social emotional learning. This work is deeply connected to our district goals and to the right commitment. As we continue to prioritize the whole child, this learning strengthens our ability to create supportive, engaging environments where

002students feel strong sense of belonging and are equipped with the skills to thrive both academically and and personally. It's a reflection of our ongoing commitment to aligning adult learning with student needs. I also want to share a brief construction update. We continue to make steady progress at Midland where flooring installation is currently underway. Lockers have been delivered to both Midland and Osborne have been installed. At Osborne, we have completed the exterior stucco foundation with Midland soon to follow by the end of this week. Once that work is complete, we'll move on to installing concrete pads at all entrances. Weather permitting, the next phase will be to continue mortar work that will complete the brick installation. Following those exterior elements, we'll be able to remove the scaffolding and proceed with final site grading and black top.

003Congratulations to our Rye hockey team on winning the New York State Division 2 Championship on March 15th. This is an extraordinary accomplishment and we are incredibly proud of our student athletes as well as coach Pete Thomas for his leadership and dedication throughout the season. The hockey team will be invited to attend our April 14th board of education meeting to receive a Rye recognition of excellence award. We look forward to having them here with us. Congratulations also to our middle school chorus and orchestra ensembles for their wonderful performances last week. We are excited to continue celebrating our student musicians. Our middle school band will be performing tomorrow tomorrow night at 7:00 p.m. and we encourage the community to attend. A quick reminder that tomorrow we will conduct our annual New York State required emergency dismissal drill.

004Dismissal will take place at 2:35 p.m. for the middle school and high school and 2:45 p.m. for our elementary schools. And is at our elementary schools will parents will will have to pick up students. They do not need to pick up the middle school or high school students. Looking ahead, next week is spring break. Schools will be closed through April 6th and we look forward to welcoming everyone back on April 7th. Thank you. Great. Thank you very much. Lots of good exciting information in that. So hopefully with the good weather, all the good construction work and luck keeps moving forward. So I look forward to hearing more about that. So we will have our presentation and discussion uh for budget for athletics. It's free delay. Good evening and thank you for having us again. Um

005before we started, I just wanted to highlight since this is about budget, um thank the board of education, not only for support, but for that postseason line. Um that was Gabby's, um uh brilliant suggestion after two years ago, um that we put money in that code for postseason so we're not, you know, searching for money and we've done well on that line this year. So I'd also like to thank it. >> Yeah, I know. This is exceptional for sure. like once in a lifetime. Um, but I also want to thank Gabby and her staff because um, everything is so timely and Nile and my office to get our kids out and about and make sure everyone's taken care of. So, thank you for that. Um, so budget presentation this year. So, like all of us,

006we start with the Ry commitment and I started to to think more and more about this as we talked about the strategic plan this summer. Um while the bride commitment was always the philosophy and the understanding and the support we received, it was really nice to come together as a team to talk about the strategic plan and build it together um to find some accountability and some goal setting that as we move forward were thoughtful uh with this. And so I hope that you'll see that this presentation is a reflection um from that feedback that we've received whether it be from internal or community or students etc. So, I focused for our department on three areas um specifically communication, strengthening community engagement, athletic safety and supervision, and athletics equipment maintenance and strategic investment. You'll see

007the three alignments with our strategic plan in goals three and four primarily. And um again looking at community engagement, fiscal planning, and streamlined operations. And some of this is nuts and bolts and it's not always like something that everyone can see on the outside, the shiny things so to speak. And and a lot of this came, as I mentioned, from reflection in my time here at Ry and how we can improve our department and working with our community as partners. So focusing on communication, there's some new things up there that um have led me down this path so to speak um of how we communicate and how we can continuously improve. Looking at the word final forms, final forms is just um a platform so to speak similar to many of you who have students

008that have registered for sports on a platform called family ID in the past. Now, family ID is a registration platform to clear students um for sports on a seasonal basis and right now it serves our purpose to do just that. However, Final Forms is another platform that does just the same but offers um a more streamlined communication not only for our families but for our department. So, a great example, if I want to reach out, modified's coming up. I want my coaches to reach out to their families um that have signed up on family ID. So, they have to go in, download a CSV, copy and paste, do some antiquated steps, so to speak. With something like final forms, you can literally click on a student, populate an email, and send it off. So if

009there's an emergency or something pops up, we use our SportsU platform, but something comes up, I can get to families much more quicker and by team, so to speak, as opposed to just a general mass blackboard email. So that's just one example. There's other areas to streamline and make our department much more efficient. Um, for example, we do our transportation forms right now, which many of you receive on a Google form that I was showing Nile today is all copying and pasting from a CSV and family ID, putting in a Google form against the roster. It takes about 20 minutes per team to do that. This system, boom, done. It's so much more streamlined and efficient and it has much more further capabilities because it um it syncs with P school as well. So, we're

010just on the surface of that, but I feel it's a platform that could benefit all, so to speak. Um, you'll see in my budget increase with Boseies, this is a slight increase from Family ID. Um, approximately, uh, on my quote, about $2,000 roughly on an increase. Um, but again, it's it's got a much more layered platform that we could benefit from. the athletics newsletter. This is something that um you know a lot of our admin put out different newsletters and and different components and weeklies and and I've seen all different things that work. Um athletics on a weekly basis isn't necessarily riveting so to speak. So um you know we have our platforms for our game schedules and our practice schedules and something will pop up. So, one of the things that I would like

011to do is work uh in collaboration with our students to produce um an athletic newsletter seasonally to start with and to see where that could go. I'd really love the students to to empower them to to highlight and to continue this and of course with our collaboration. One of the things why Gipper software is next to that. That's just one example um of a platform that you can utilize within the athletic world. Many athletic administrators use that. So it's just as an option because that also lives in the Boseis code and is state aidable. Um this has come from a lot of feedback. Uh I mean as many of you may recall with PAR organizations when um Dr. Dr. Murray and I have our bi-weekly meeting, we talk a lot about communication and getting our

012families everything they need, so to speak, and also celebrating all that great stuff. Um, so looking at this newsletter, this is something that kind of ties with that bottom component, district PR collaboration. I recently have um just set up a meeting actually with Syntax um to go over and just kind of assess what we do, have um our partners share with what other athletic departments do. I mean, I know what some of my colleagues do, but it's not necessarily always, you know, the go-to, so to speak. So, I'd like to really assess that and see how we could grow and and again celebrate the things that we're doing. And so, more to come on that. um our parent and student athletics handbook. This is something that is raw in the sense that there are many

013areas where this lives. So we we visit the code of conduct all the time um in different capacities, you know, especially the admin team and I when we're referencing different pieces whether it's eligibility or um you know absenteeism or anything supporting that in that world. Um I'd like to make this more user friendly. Um, so this is a part or this is something that I'll be working on and while there's no budgetary impact, I think it fits nicely with communication. Um, and I'm my hope is beginning for the fall sports season which begins August 17th for football and August 24th for all other sports that this will be definitely done and it will be a nice resource to kind of kick off the fall and share with families. So, there's one kind of a one-stop

014shop, if you will, with a nice table of contents that's um live, if you will. So, it's a little bit about communication. >> M um so a couple of questions. Uh so, final forms. Y >> you talked about the ability to email teams or kids. So, will this replace sportsu as the main communication tool? >> No, it would be in collaboration. it would be um not through coaches but through me but it could lead toward that pathway if we find that's better. I just haven't had enough experience with it to deem whether we would make that shift. But if it's something by all means that we feel is better than Sports U, >> I would encourage because our coaches would have that opportunity. >> Right. Okay. And then also when we talk about the athletics

015newsletter um and you mentioned the idea of collaborating with the students, >> I think that's a really cool idea. Would there be an opportunity for students who appreciate, celebrate, enjoy sports but are not athletes themselves? >> Yes. to be able to work in that capacity. Like I think about student announcers and there's, you know, that great story from the from just watching the High Point kids at the at the NCAA tournament, right? And finding ways where this is certainly something that lots of kids connect through, but you don't have to necessarily be the athlete to >> Absolutely. And we have a lot of those kids that I just, you know, will pop around and it's mainly photographers. And my dream would be to have this whole um plethora, if you will, of our students that

016have interests in journalism and videoing. And we were just chatting about this. I saw a colleague of mine in Port Washington on Long Island who has built over time a little mini mini ESPN thief, if you will, where um students are reporting out and they're not always student athletes, so to speak. So they are like assigned if you will and they actually built a curriculum in sports management that shifts into sports journalism and allows some interesting pathways. So um I was talking with him and um he offered a site visit. So, it's something that I definitely want to pursue because it's something when I got here that I've always wanted to um empower our students, but trying to find those students is is actually been interesting because they you know have an interest in photography

017or um you know different capacities of athletics, but I'd love love love student announcers too. >> I think that would be amazing. >> I would love that. >> Okay. Well, I'm I'm excited to hear all of the thinking around it and and really trying to use athletics as a way to connect the wider community and reach beyond just our athletes for the athletics and the and the school community of um what's the word I'm thinking of? I don't I don't know. >> It'll come to my nice because some students like school spirit. >> Yes. Yes. And we have a lot of kids that want to do that and that are are doing it now. And I actually spoke to two of them yesterday when, you know, they're juniors. I'm like, you could leave your legacy.

018I'm trying to, you know, will them a little bit. But so I'm hopeful that um it will take off. So I thought this might be a star and it could grow, but I would love to see that happen. >> Um, one other question. Would the is the concept maybe it's not there yet of the newsletter would that be um >> really the audience would be other students or would it be other students and beyond or where do you see that? >> Yeah, that's a good point. I I see it as students and community because we obviously have um different um opportunities for students um that locally here within our district rather. I would like it to be more of a seasonal thing that is polished and is not only just for students but for families

019and community as well. You know, Dr. Murray and um principal Hara do a nice job highlighting and ask for support, but really it'd be nice to have it separate so it it's its own entity, so to speak, and it becomes seasonal and it's something to look forward to and has updates um with everything in that. So, we'll see how it goes and hopefully my meeting um next week will go well and we'll have a nice pathway with that. But starting fall, let's see. Um one last thing on final forms too, there would be a transition period. Tracy Barnett has been wonderful, supportive with this um and working with our health staff, our health service staff. Um once we get there, there will be training and opportunity and it will be a learning curve a little

020bit for our community. However, it'll be very very similar as far as registration goes. I think our families will find it even um better, but um there'll be opportunity for that. But I do one last question. So, you mentioned that there might be some um connection with powers school. We do you know what that is yet or? >> Um not completely because Caitlyn's a part of this meeting too. So it just more of I believe um if students can be uploaded versus added and some of the features that may not have to do with the families necessarily but more of on our side whether it's trans uh eligibility like right now we receive >> u excel spreadsheet from attendance and we get that based upon power school that might be something that can be done

021and one less person has to do it and then I have it in front of me because I help oversee that >> right I think streamlining any way you hand is a good thing. >> Yeah. What did I do? What did you do? It wouldn't move. Okay. Um my second component uh is based on athletic safety and supervision and it has to deal with fiscal planning and operations. So the first piece of this is um you'll see a budgetary increase contractually and that's because we have a wonderful group internally here with allied health or excuse me allied staff. Um, and the nice piece about that is we staff our athletic events based upon a few things. Number one, the size of the event, home or away, as well as the opponent. So, if we have

022an opponent maybe where the stat or our spectators may not have a large event, but we know it's opponent where we've had challenges, let's say, in the past. Um, we have to be on call for that. So, it's a constant um event management piece that we lead. Um and our we call them yellow jackets. If you see them in the yellow jackets, um they're our first line of defense and and they're been wonderful and we work on um placing them and roles and responsibilities and we oversee that and work together. But there are some it's nice to have the layer of the allied group um when we need them. So like ice hockeyy's offsite and we have modified basketball and varsity JV basketball going on let's say and so for me for example three different

023spots is a little challenging but to know I have two of our allied staff members at hockey that when I get there there's a full report if I need something it's another layer and the best part about that is they know our kids so they have relationships with our kids and know not just who they are but you know how interact and and there's relationships there. So this year we've used it more because we've entered postseason a little bit more and that's been that's come with that because away events have have needed that and the way athletics is heading as large as it gets because we've seen a lot of things happen unfortunately reactive instead of proactive is a lot of stu school districts are having to staff away events because families travel, kids travel

024and the best you can do is have your own people there to manage your own people. if we all worry about our own people, things tend to um manage much better. But that's a that's a trend that you'll see obviously in the world of athletics is our world changes. Um so that's a piece you'll see. And then collaboration um as I mentioned Tracy Barnett before, we do a lot of work together, not just with our athletic trainer, but overseeing with our nurses and working with our coaches on emergency protocols. As you know, we have a lot of off-site um practice fields and game fields and it's important that we're aware of this. Um recently John Hawkins put an annex together that was part of legislation for after school activities and I'm so thankful for that

025because I've always said you know we worry of course about what happens during the school day but when you have a thousand people or more than that even at an event and the lights go out what's the protocol or you know something as basic as that. So, um, that's something that we're mindful of and we continue to educate as new coaches come in especially and we practice that. Oops, it's not letting me. Oh, okay. My last goal um is is sustain. This is a goal that will along with the others uh remain um constant and that's equipment maintenance and life cycle management because obviously this is fiscal responsibility. We're not spending money just to spend money. The first piece you'll see in my equipment line item is went up um in assessing our track mat,

026our high jump mat that's out there. Um we are in the need of a new mat and the mat um is sustainable to be outside, but Rob actually um was very helpful and we were looking at storage. We do not have storage to put mats in different places. Um, so keeping that out with the with the vendor is appropriate, but we want to get it off the ground, so to speak, because we need it to drain if if obviously we have bad weather. So, we found a system that we will use um to get that mat off the ground and store that accordingly. So, they can be very pricey. So, I'm putting the first the high jump mat in this budget cycle and we'll assess um our other mat um the following year to see

027if that's something that we need to replace. Um and that goes with pretty much any form of equipment that we look at. Rob and I work hand inand um and Gabby as well and obviously our amazing custodians when we need support for different things that that change. uh whether it's um the clock uh our shot clock went for example before playoff started and Patrick was wonderful and helping and support us to to fix that and move forward. So these are things that are constantly being assessed um aligning with our initiatives. I think it's important that if you looked at some of the pieces, while I wouldn't call them initiatives, they're a reflection of listening to the feedback of our community and our students. And so those align with our strategic plan. And therefore, our athletic

028program falls underneath that as well. Um, uniforms is always something in equipment. I just want to make sure I'm always clear that we as a district provide our basic needs, which are things like a home and away uniform potentially. um or in some sports there's not a a need for both. Um equipment, game balls, uh you know, things that coaches need and athletes need to feel successful. And anything that's beyond that, we are very fortunate to have a supportive community. And that's why I wanted to be sure to mention our booster clubs that work uh diligently for support of our students um and do things from anywhere from, you know, fundraisers that involve uh are able to support extra jerseys the kids want. I always talk about our Harrison football jerseys, I call them, with

029the names on the back. Jane's got a senior coming up, so she will get that Harrison football jersey. Um and it's wonderful because they donate the money as you know you receive it every year and um that money comes to the district and what that allows us to do is to buy those uniforms obviously through our vendor and um it's taxfree as well. So um and it's something that we keep track of and our coaches and our um I would say our booster clubs overall work collaboratively with this even as families transition. It's a great conversation to understand where we are and what the rules and responsibilities are. And I will say our district does a great job of contributing um you know something like the um the scores table for example in the main

030gym for volleyball and basketball that was a donation but we as a district funded a half of that. So we try to always do that when it's a bigger ticket item. And then uh the Ry Fund for Education as you know has been very generous and the Mainfield scoreboard um they were very supportive with our grant and collaboration with Ry girls softball. Our softball scoreboard we turned on today for our girls. They were all pumped for that. And um obviously we have a new grant that was just funded for our new sound system. Gabby, Rob, uh, Caitlyn and I were checking out the press box today and, um, coming up, you know, with some future thoughts with that. And obviously there's lots of great conversation about what future grants can be. So obviously very grateful

031for that and that helps our students um, continue to to move forward with growth in in our department. Um, you'll see some highlights there. Um, as I mentioned, the equipment it was with track, our trackmat specifically, um, contractually with Allied. If you go down, there's a small increase. Uh, we're home for the Ry Harrison game right now. Hopefully, we'll have that date in April sometime. Um, we're doing schedules right now at the section level for football. Um we bumped uh my uh line item the conference travel ad uh from 3 to 5 and what we've done with that um is we have taken well I've driven and um been around a little bit more with some of these events. So just wanted to be reflective of that and our postseason as I said stays the

032same for this year for next year but you know it's something we'll always monitor. But um and then lastly uh I believe the Boseies code as I mentioned went up and it's not just because of the final forms but Boseies we have officials fees that come through Boseies and any platform we use like huddle our sports engine local live comes from that weight assessments and wrestling the armoring and track we're build through Boseies with a lot of that information so that's why you'll see continuing increase uh increase in that our supplies and uniforms we've been really good the last few years so I think we're good with that. No need to increase. We've got a good replacement cycle. So, I think overall it's a, if I recall, about a $44,000 increase. And those are the

033primary areas where you'll see that >> questions. I had a quick question um going back to the previous um slide about equipment maintenance and um when you mentioned the track and field mat. So just curious and I know this um I assume or I know that you work with Rob closely in terms of athletic facilities and equipment and ident can you just go through how you identify >> what things need to be replaced are do you ever before the year do you walk around and look at everything or are we when it breaks then we've got to fix it. So how do we look at that proactively and >> and how do you prioritize what gets done because obviously we have a budget and there's only so much money every year for that. So the

034big things like Gabby, Rob and I have the sequence scope and sequence that we've worked on as you've seen like and how we got to um our override two years ago was it now or last year I can't even remember where we highlighted those areas that is a working document that we continue to look at and those are much bigger projects but something like as simple as we're getting ready so we're in spring now we're heading in fall it now I'm getting ready for August now because I need to look at what we need for fall. So, equipment wise, it would be things like goals, like where are we right now with our goals? I can't wait till August obviously to order goals. If something's broken, I you know, we have to be proactive with

035that. So, that's just a small example, but you know, just I think being in the spaces everywhere you go, you're constantly looking at, you know, how things are functioning, how could they be more efficient, do we need something different? You know, just today when we were up in the press box, we were looking as basic of like cleaning that up and changing things up in there as we're putting that new system in. So, I think it's living in the spaces and and just daily, you know, continuous. I feel like our heads on a swivel a lot when we're looking at these things. And of course, things pop up like that shock clock thing that you have no idea is going to happen. It's my biggest one of my biggest stressors. But it just, you know,

036it happened. And but where we're fortunate is we had a Patrick who is so knowledgeable and knew right what to do and we got in touch with Dacttronics. We it was actually a horn malfunction. We get a horn the next day. Like things like that just don't happen with those people. But it's constant assessment in my opinion and and obviously planning with operations, >> right? And then when like for so it sounds like there's there's two lists. there's there's kind of the long-term list of, you know, if >> if we had extra money, what we'd like to do, and then there's that we need to fix this right now. And I assume if the RI fund of education, for example, comes along and they say, well, >> you you look at both those lists and

037brainstorm with them. So there's the big list of the big ticket items and there's things like one of the things that I've talked to the RF before about and one thing that you know I'm looking forward to is >> we've had all the success and we have these beautiful awards but we have a very small showcase and I've talked about how do we sustain that in electronic format there a lot of places now have interactive so something like that is something that you know would be a great potential grant um in the future but something bigger or a ticket item. Um, you know, that's something that we have is definitely a long-term and a and a short-term perspective, but the basic needs are constantly assessed. >> Sounds like it. Okay. Thank you. Yep. And not

038to steal Rob's thunder, but I think it's important to just remember that as we're touching these spaces, we're taking a holistic approach to it, bringing them up to speed and then making sure that we're putting in funds to maintain those at the level in which we've brought them back to, right, and Rob will talk about that more. >> Yeah, that's a great point. I mean, we just put this beautiful field in and we're sustaining it because um there are mechanisms in place to sustain it. So that's the one piece I feel like everything we're doing right now like the mats we're not by putting them up we're going to sustain that mat much better cuz we won't ever have any rain or floods again but that will help sustain that mat. It's something that you

039know you just don't think of because it's it's a it's able to be outside but like it needs to be up. So those things like over time I feel like as we've get to know the facility and work together those types of things might pop up from time to time but usually we're right on top of it in advance. Any other questions? >> Great. Thank you. >> Thank you so much. >> Appreciate it. >> Okay. We'll now move on to our presentation related to our facilities. Mr. You can make good evening everyone. Thank you again for uh another opportunity and another bud budget presentation. So again, uh guided by the riot commitment uh a little different this year than previous years where uh I I'm I through uh starting at the beginning of the school

040year uh developing this strategic plan. We did um I I constantly remind myself to look at uh everything through the lens of that strategic plan and and what we're delivering to make sure that we're staying on track because it's easy to to kind of go through your day and then focus on the the the emerging issue at hand and and lose sight of that. So, uh going through the budget process and knowing, you know, we're delivering for students, faculty, staff, and the community. Uh but beyond that, it's it's protecting it's also um delivering for our buildings and respecting the investment that we have here. Um and that is uh and that that efficiency that uh and one of the goals through the through the strategic plan which is listed on all the the upcoming slides

041uh is a a guiding force to deliver on the commitment. So, starting at a high level and I'm going to continue to home down as I as I proceed on the on the uh budget, but uh I just want to talk about like the major drivers what what drives the the the facilities budget and as you know it's the budget that keeps the lights on, keep you know keeps the building clean, the lights on and heated and you know climate controlled. So those are like the the the big the the the big elements that live in this budget. Um, so it's tracking those utility trends to keep the lights on, right? And the the uh all the supplies and everything that we use to to to um to be successful in that job is are

042those are the elements that we're continually looking at for efficiency, cost um and and um and utility. So the we've had the uh another budget driver is the maintenance department that is um I still like to call it newly created but it's been about uh it's been about three three and a half years already but it's something that it it we're not losing sight of and we're constantly evaluating re-evaluating see what we have accomplished for the year what what uh what they've learned and how we could how we could take some of that some of that growth and skill and implement into the the coming year. Uh and I'll speak more about that as we go on. Uh and of course the uh the big exciting thing would be the the additions at Midland and

043Osborne coming online. So that's going to require um some attention just to to to make sure that we're um we're looking at those trends and the changes in the building that come as a result of that and and plan accordingly not just for this year but for all future years. So uh again honing down now what are what are the implication of some of those budget drivers? What are we going to what are we going to get for that? um and what changes and are are we planning for as a result of those big drivers? Again, I'm going to um go in detail into each of these bullet points, but um obviously there's utility costs. Anyone who who, you know, opens up a a utility bill at home knows that there's, you know, been major

044changes in the market over the last couple years. So, it's uh it's incorporating those those changes and cost increases. Um there is a fleet uh vehicle fleet management plan that is uh being proposed in this budget and um I'm actually excited to explain some of that. Uh and again Susan touched a lot on the athletic field maintenance towards the end there. And it really is it it really is this constant collaboration and communication and and determining where uh where we're lacking, what requires some some attention, what is working well, what do we continue. Um and that is uh that is all captured in this budget. Uh again, speaking in the maintenance department, um I think we've for for those of us who joined on some of the building tours after the summer, some of the

045the light renovations that we were able to do in-house with our maintenance department as well as uh as well as addressing needs that come up. Um, and I think again something as recent as today when we were looking we were looking at the the uh the press box uh as a result of the generous donation of the RF for the for the turf audio project. We don't want we also want to protect that investment. So where it's being installed in the press box needs a little attention and and and our and that is something that we're going to we're going to do in house whether it's it's reconing that roof to protect and protect it from water infiltration. um you know and and anything else to to actually enhance um to enhance that that installation.

046So getting back to the utilities. So uh utilities is water, gas, oil, uh electricity th those are the big ones. We're seeing a minimum of 5 to 12% just on statutory increases. So uh electricity as an example is purchased through a consortium for m municipalities through NIPA. They're predicting a 12% increase for for the um for the delivery and the and the uh consumption. So uh we have to plan for that. In addition in in addition to those expected costs if your if your um usage remain absolutely identical there's also some anticipated volatility especially with fuel oil um that can those uh that fluctuation is really something that we have to account for and make sure that we're we could absorb any of those changes. Um and again getting back to the uh the additions

047at Midland and Osborne, you know, in total it's approximately 16,000 square feet. Uh when the additions come online there, you know, it's not uh we didn't go from 0 to 16,000. There was there was 20some years that we had portable units that were, you know, they're they were actually you know, they were consuming uh utilities. But this is this is a different building. It's highly um it it's a efficiently built building in ter you know in terms of thermal insulation and equipment and efficiency. However um it's very well ventilated um and it's going to you know it's there's a lot of um there are a lot of components in there that obviously the portables didn't have. So we're going to be tracking those trends and um adjusting as needed for future years. that was taken

048into account in terms of um additional uh additional utility usage to be incorporated in the budget. Um and it we we actually um look at all utilities and this is in collaboration with the the the um with the the staff in the office that is managing all the paperwork and um that team there um that that is uh between me and Gabby and the office there. They're uh taking the utility bills and putting it on spreadsheets and looking at trends. And that's a a really valuable tool as we're as um I'm predicting some of these costs that need to be budgeted for. And it we take into it uh we take into account some uh some decreases as well. And uh we did see that with some of the renovations there. There we saw major

049major decreases with our um with the upgrades that happened in Midland over over the course of the last few years. and that it's all related to being able to control not just for comfort, but um adjusting schedules that we could do remotely uh and take advantage of unoccupied periods and um and balancing it because we have a hot water system as opposed to a steam system. And we've seen a a tremendous reduction in usage. although the rates are increasing um for the actual for the actual uh commodity we we do have to um we do take that all into account. So um unfortunately it's it's ultimately it's always an upward trend um in terms of cost >> add here we also plan for the worst. We plan for the most snow the coldest winters so

050that we are fully covered with utilities um anticipating the worst case scenario so that we never run short. Would you say this was the worst? Cuz I would say this was the worst. I just wonder like do you think it gets worse than this? >> I would say this has gotten into the record books um in certainly the last couple of years. Um there have been only a few in the 15 that I've been here that I would say probably have topped this one. This was really cold. there were two really major snowstorms as opposed to a bunch of little ones and deploying our staff multiple times. Um, but the amount of time that they had to spend for each of those large snowstorms probably equated to the same. So, it looked a little different,

051but certainly was up there in terms of what we plan for. >> Okay. Okay. I guess just out of curiosity and I've seen some of your incredible dashboards of all of the uh different moving parts but in terms of that decrease in consumption of the various commodities I mean rough numbers I mean as a result of efficiency and and you know your team's efforts I mean how how much has that decreased >> year? So looking at gallons burned um and again it's difficult because you have to offset for degree heating days I would say when we went from steam to hot water was probably a 30% reduction in in fuel being burned. So um but again as that as the the price of oil spikes some of that some of that is lost. Um but

052on top of that it you know a lot of it was was done for efficiency and comfort but um but there it was actually striking to see some of those those changes when it was fully implemented. So um a lot of it there's a lot of waste when there they're uh a lot of these heating components fail in a safe mode which means you overheat rather than underheat and create damage. So um eliminating all those issues it leads to a big reduction. So So the vehicle fleet lease initiative uh we spent quite a bit of time dealing with um with uh it's actually enterprise fleet uh maintenance. they they require a minimum number of vehicles that and we're um we've evaluated all of the um o over the last few years looking at downtime in

053vehicles, mechanic costs, what it actually means when you're down a vehicle. Actually, one of the the snow two snow storms ago, we actually lost one of our plow trucks and we had to bounce between one of the elementary schools and come back to the high school. And actually uh even though we were well down this path, it reaffirmed that this is it really is critical to have um to have uh an efficient um and ready to use uh piece of equipment when you need it. Although we're we're not a large district in terms of of land mass. Um, so we're not doing a lot of mileage, but when you need a piece of equipment to make sure that we're we're getting a building open, you know, for for school the next day, you need all

054your resources available and they need to work when you need them to. So, what do we use this equipment for? Uh it's there's a there's a courier who uh courier um and and food service the uh satellite um vehicle that's going around the district um constantly brings equipment for uh for repair um throughout the county wherever wherever is needed and any of those any of those the emergent needs that come up. Uh the maintenance department has multiple vehicles to that that um that can bounce around between each building. Whether it's all hands- on deck um to to deal with an issue or um it's something pre-planned and preventive maintenance. Their their tools and equipment are on the truck um for their efficient use. Um currently the maintenance department is is split up in three shifts.

055So, we actually cover from 6:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. Um, and that initiative was done to to maximize what um maximize the coverage to address anything for the for most of the opening period of the district, but it also gives them the ability to um to have some overlap. So, if there's a project where you need uh a couple people to do something, we've created that overlap there. Um, so that's why the multiple vehicles. Um, and generally it's the the snow removal is probably the the most um the the most visible uh need for for the vehicles. And you know, for the couple months of the year when you see all them all the vehicles parked, they have the the snow plow on there ready to go. Um, and then for the rest of the

056year, it's it's general facilities use, whether it's taking mats from the auxiliary gym and going across the field. um and you know uh delivering them or moving furniture from building to building that um the the use is invaluable when you need it. Uh the plan is uh it actually looks at the current fleet. It would it would it would uh assist with the disposal of any vehicles that that um that we currently have and maximizing their value um and as as well as the the purchase of new vehicles. So we would as a district define define the spec of the vehicle that suits our needs greatest. Um whether it's a van for for the maintenance department and you could step in and fully outfit with shelving or the the a smaller van for the courier

057and you know the the again the the snow plowing needs. So, we would define that and they would they would um they would actually work with us in the acquisition to make sure that we're capturing any of the deals that that are available for public entities. And what it does is it's a five-year cycle. Um, and it gives us the benefit of leveling that expense over multiple budget years. So it it in in in years where you're replacing a transmission on a vehicle and you're down, you know, trucks, it's hard to it it's very lumpy and it's much harder to budget for that. So in addition to having a um a a newer fleet that's not, you know, rusty and and breaking down and not available when you need it, it it it makes the

058budgeting um it it takes out the highs and the lows to to a much greater extent. Um and again as part of the looking at the budget and making sure that we're um you know we're again referring to the strategic plan the the fis fiscal planning and the streamlined operations are are the lens that that that I view this through. So, we looked at all the expenses for multiple years and um it it's it's recognizing that would nearly go to zero except for for tires, inspections, and oil changes. So, that is probably a 90 something% reduction, which we could confidently do because it uh um everything else is handled through through this uh fleet program. Any questions on that before I move on? Great. Uh again, so a huge component of the facil facilities department.

059I did mention, you know, the lights and and cleaning the building, but it's it's uh collaborating with the entire athletic department and making sure that the the um all of the athletic facilities are are improved and it it not just prolongs the life of of the gyms and fields, but it enhances the experience for the student and athletes as well as the physical education. Um so what's included in some of that facility maintenance uh athletic facility maintenance it's both indoors and outdoors uh some of the gyms especially the high school it gets heavy use uh through you know the the competitive um competitive sports we we do some of the gyms more than twice a year otherwise it's a minimum of an annual uh recoding which is not just for aesthetic purposes but it's it's

060that coefficient of friction that you have to maintain for um to protect the students and and uh and prevent injuries. Uh this year uh I do anticipate being able to to paint the Osborne gym. Uh again, getting on a cycle looking at all the gyms, the high school uh gym for the last few years has gotten a lot of attention. Um and and every gym based on need has gotten different. Um there has been some different upgrades. Osborne going back to the 2021 bond uh capital work that was done there. New roof, the skylights were removed to eliminate that threat. Clear story windows, padding. So that is the one where um and the the floor is actually in really good shape. It's within the last um um 7 to eight years. Um, but that would

061just put that in a in a really good place and then move on to the next uh the the next uh the next gym based on the need again in constant communication like uh and re-evaluating uh although we've laid out that plan for multiple years. We're we're revisiting and see if anything anything changed. Um, and moving on to the outside, the uh there all of our all of our schools have some um some field use and to some capacity. uh Milton Osborne and High School will have uh practice and uh practice games that that host a lot of events both for uh for the community as well as um as well as our student athletes. And we're just maintaining that to to make sure that the their um the again it enhances the the um

062their their play experience. So looking at each of the baseball diamonds, uh we have a vendor that has the capacity to do laser grading. It's uh kind of it's this cone laser that is mounted on the uh on the pitcher's mound and it just tries to get it as flat as possible, maintaining pitch pitch. So it um so it drains, but it it takes out, you know, it's looking for ruts and little little dips and divots. So again, it makes it um it makes it competitive, safer, and and hopefully a lot more fun to play on. Um our our turf and track obviously are in a flood plane uh a FEMA designated flood plane and I think we have to uh it's prudent as part of our planning to make sure that we're we're um

063prepared to do any repairs or repainting or cleaning that comes as a result of of the brook overflow in its banks. Um but on a in in the absence of that there is a life cycle for for um for all of these things the lines wear away and we did it uh we did it last summer uh looking at looking at it recently. It's actually in really good shape. There's a couple repairs that we have to do but um uh again we we um we're anticipating all these potential needs. if it doesn't um and hopefully it hopefully we have good weather and nothing happens and we could um we could actually redirect it to perhaps to another interior gym again based on uh assessments that we're uh we're constantly doing. So I've uh the cycle

064of painting that is something this uh like I mentioned the Osborne gym is uh is on this year's cycle uh we have the five loc five five schools six gyms so um I think a fiveyear cycle is realistic and that is the that's where the current planning is uh on the the exterior fields the the upper field at the high school, the softball field, as well as um as well as Osborne. We've implemented a an organic um fertilizer program. It's the only one that's available because we're not we're not able to use being a school there. We're we're restricted from any type of um chemical or fertilizer, but there is an organic program uh that we actually piggybacked with the city on. Um, and it's uh it it's actually we're going into the second year.

065So, it's that continual planning to make making sure that we're doing everything possible for our fields to protect protect the investment and extend the the life of the uh of the field. >> Rob, is that why those white tarps go down >> on those fields? >> Yes. So, uh, the two tarps, it it actually we overseed it in the fall. >> Okay. >> And it's really like an insulated blanket to help it germinate a little bit faster. Um, >> I will say that blanket does help if we could keep it down well into April. U, but we're always the challenge is >> people need those fields. >> We we do and we don't. Um, so it did help a little. There's little, if you notice, there's little baby grass um underneath. >> I can only

066see I can only see the tarp when I drive by. I don't actually see the field. So >> So when it comes off, there's a noticeable difference. So it does uh So again, it it we do everything everything possible to try to to um to enhance that, you know, the field. But again, there's limitations. There's limitations in space and time. the season starts, the tarp comes off, and the kids got to play. So, um, but yeah, it's to actually assist with a little germination. >> Okay. And so, just to go back to the grading of the baseball diamonds, I think it's really helpful, um, to remember that when the softball field was done last year, there was the opportunity to take some of that dirt from the softball field and move it to the field

067at Milton where there's also a softball field that gets used. And so there was that communication and conversation about ensuring and and and working to maintain both of those fields. And so it's great to see um that that is being incorporated into the the strategic maintenance plan, which is good. >> And I think that this is an example of that holistic look. When we looked at the softball field, there was a need there. We then had to think about, well, if we weren't able to deliver softball in time, let's get Milton to a place where everybody still had a place to go to play. And now it's and it took the we took the necessary steps to get it to that level that is acceptable. And now it's going back every year and reassessing and

068making sure that if we do need some additional grading that we're taking care of it on a regular basis so we don't ever get back to where it was when we started this whole process. Same with the organic grass program. You know, we used the tarps in the past, but now we've added this element that is bringing it even further along and hoping that as years continue, we get better at making these things part of our regular practice. >> Yeah, that's great. >> So again, I did touch upon the maintenance department. Um, so in in terms of uh projects that we're budgeting for, uh, in addition to to making sure that we have the capacity to do all of our preventive maintenance as well as, uh, repairs and and emergencies that pop up, there are

069a few projects that we know that we're going to continue to plan for. Um and it and again uh also through a generous grant from DRF um and working with uh with Dr. from Reedenberg. The the uh apartment at 324 Midland um is something that we're we're actually um we've been probing, cleaning it out, getting it ready, and we're hoping in the next few weeks that there at least there's um there might be a portion of it um available for use. Uh but that is going to be it's it's going to be phased in over the summer um for hopefully the the remainder of the project in case uh we're still investigating in case there has to be some hazardous materials removed. Um it it requires a lot of planning but as much of it

070that we can do in house is what um is what we plan to do. Um, again, if you remember walking through the middle school last year, there were a few classrooms uh actually four to be to to be exact that we did a full um acoustic ceiling, lighting, and and a light refresh to um again enhance those rooms. And there's a few more that we have to do in the high school to actually assist with the uh some of the acoustics and the original 1930 building, some of the hard plaster walls. And those are the projects that they're always on the um I wouldn't say back burner, but they're always they're always kind of queued up and then if there's any lull and everything is kind of smooth, they could they could jump in and

071out of those projects. So um and there is uh uh in this coming year I hope to uh finish this project that we've been talking about for uh a while that it was all related to implementing the salto key system and um and and uh >> the salt that's like the neverending song. >> This is mechanical, >> right? This is the one lock. I can just have one key. You don't have to have the jinglejangle, which I mean, isn't that the >> facilities department? No, >> I'm sorry. >> Isn't the jinglejangle of the keys? Like, it's the song like you think about Taylor Swift, right? Like our song like that's the facilities department song, >> the jangle of the keys. >> I might be dating myself, but like the Schneider ring. >> Yes. >> But

072then you'd need like a pack of cigarettes, but >> which we can have cuz schools are tobaccof free zones. >> The key ring and the and the cigarettes went together. But the uh these are mechanical locks. So it's a great reuse of of a quality piece of commercial equipment that we know is um you know in the event of power outage or anything where the these are you know these aren't areas that that students occupy and you know have those safety protocols. This is it's a different function and a different use. So um again those are projects that that we've been able to incorporate with the maintenance department. Um and again along uh along with preventive maintenance is just part of their u part of their routine. Um, and again, anytime there's capacity there, we're

073we're just looking at new spaces and I'm not sure if prevented maintenance is the right thing, but looking at that press box today, that is something that it is uh it's just it it's doing some um some repairs on something that that is long overdue. And again, that is all that is all um incorporated into the maintenance department's budgeting. Here's the list of the slides. I have two pages. Don't be jealous, Susan. They're uh so a lot of it is broke. So, the reason there there's two all the every utility um is actually broken down by location. So, that's why it takes up a lot of room here. Mr. Kigliano, a wondering for another day. I don't expect to want an answer right now, but I do find it curious that Milton is has the

074highest costs yet is the smallest by square footage of the elementary schools. >> Uh, so are you >> No, not not an answer. I just wanted you can next time next year electric costs >> right so they're going up 24 they're 241 Midland and Osborne are going up 18 they're only 180 sorry I talk numbers in a unique way I just think that's an interesting >> uh I >> something so you can you can woo woo me with it next year >> yeah there's a lot of data so I don't um I I want to give you the correct answer. So uh but a lot of it is based on percentages. Um >> 2728 I look forward to it. >> So So this is not going to be a question to be answered tonight either,

075but and I'm going to be really dating myself when I ask this. Um, several years ago we talked about the concept or possibility of an energy performance contract. How close are we to maybe doing something like that? Is it I don't know that that was a really hot thing like seven years ago. I don't know if it still is today if it if it has the same kind of return. Um, so I'm just curious and is there anything that replaced something like that? I don't know. >> I'm I'm actually happy to to answer that one. Um, so at the this has been brought up uh multiple times, multiple facilities meeting. I know prior to the uh to the bond implementation, there was discussion of that even before I got here. But as recent as uh

076last November, I did sit down with with uh a new company kind of looking at the district as a whole, incorporating all the improvements that we did do in terms of lighting and mechanical systems, looking at our field light. Um the that is a program that is funded through through subsidies essentially. um those have now dried up and there's really no viable economic um project to um to implement. So the the only potential um and and the the this company was on is the only potential was solar and solar require you know massive uh massive real estate whether it's on a roof or a landbased system. We don't have any land. the only possible area could have been adjacent to the field, but it's in a flood zone, so that was a no-go. But on

077top of that, some of the legislation had um percentages of panels that needed to be manufactured in the US, and I think I I believe it had to be uh about 30% manufactured in the US. There is no current manufacturing that was going to be able to deliver in time for a project to be completed to be reimbursed. So it really was it really there there was no viable project. Um so I do have I do have that timeline of dates that we could have achieved and there had to been a fully completed system. Uh let and again I I could give you the exact dates but I want to say it was like the middle of the year. So if we were planning this in January, we would have had to a fully approved

078project implemented or substantially complete by the middle of the year with panels that are that have portions made in the US that weren't available. So they they basically said that at the moment unless some legislation changes, there's no um there's no energy performance contract available. That answers that question. Thank you. >> So, so, uh, the last slide here, uh, I do want to talk about the the transfer to capital. There is, um, a $700,000 allocation for this coming budget year. And we again looked at um all the areas of need. Clearly the need the need exceeds um the dollars as is always the challenge. Uh but we're we believe that the the the most prudent next um project should be the roof replacement um at the high school which covers it's a 14,000t roof which

079covers about 9,000 square feet over the the high school gym, the wrestling room and the locker room. So if you if you look at an aerial image of the gym, it it it's actually uh it the the entire gym and the mezzanine which is behind the gym, but it really should be handled as one roof. Um we're looking at a uh a 30-year roof, a a 30-year warranty roof, which is beyond some of the other rubber roofs that we do. So this is like a it's a two-layer mineral roof. So, it's a it's a a sturdier roof being that it it we're protecting the investment below the gym. So, uh we just thought that that is prudent planning and um there's one really a very small area uh at the high school security office. Uh

080but there's some sensitive equipment, a major electrical panel below it. It's a very small area. It's only about 100 square ft uh in total, but it's a complicated little roof where where the the original 1930 slate meets the the roof. Uh but while they're mobilized for the gym, incorporating this was an incremental cost as opposed to doing as a standalone project. So, uh it made sense to do it incorporated in this this budget planning. That's all I have. >> Great. Any other questions? >> No. Well, um I really thank both of you for coming and what I really appreciate is um in so much of your conversations and your presentations is the overlap with so many other departments and people and administrators. And it's really a wonderful thing to see because in many districts, facilities

081in particular can exist as its own universe. And it's not really helpful when it's run that way and when it's incorporated into how can we make it really work to the benefits of our students and our teachers and our instruction and our athletic department. And it really is great to see that. And so I thank both of you for for that because it makes a big difference. And thank you. >> Thank you. >> All right. So with that, uh, instead of public comment this evening, we are holding our second open topics forum for the year. And this is the opportunity where the board, as we say, comes out to the public. So this evening, the board will separate into smaller groups to facilitate open discussions of topics on the minds of audience members. Each group

082will keep a record of topics of discussion, comments, suggestions, and questions, as well as a list of requests for information. Each group will meet for 30 minutes, and at the conclusion, the board members will return back to the seats to review for the whole audience and all of the board members what was discussed in the groups. The board of education will then provide a wrap-up and review of how followup will take place, if any is required. Uh and then we will sorry we will then compile a list of topics, comments, suggestions and requests and put and have those reviewed at the next meeting if there is a need for followup or potential action. So at this time the board we will take our public comments to the people and we will return in 30 minutes.

083Thank you. Okay. All right. >> All right. Thank you everybody. I don't think that was exactly 30 minutes, but we ended early, so we're back early. So, uh, we had a a wonderful conversation with a community member and what was discussed were, um, questions and concerns and reflections about the roll out and implementation of initiatives, uh, around the no place for hate and just district um, decision making around making choices related to what initiatives we use. So we had a a good conversation about that and follow-ups will be done uh between the appropriate um administrators and the uh community member. So, we always appreciate having our community members join us here at the board, our at the board meeting, whether it be for our open topic session or our typical uh time for the public

084to be heard, which will certainly be taking place uh over the next few weeks uh especially related to our upcoming um school budget. So, we look forward to hopefully hearing and having an opportunity to engage with more of our community. So, with uh open topics being finished, we will now move on to our consent agenda. Can I have a motion, please, to approve this evening's no to review this evening's consent agenda. Sean Clapper, seconded by Matt Shibonoff. Let's take a look at tonight's consent agenda. Consent agenda general. Consent agenda fiscal. Consent agenda professional appointments. Sorry, I just I'm like going to be back there in one second. I promise. Yep. Uh consent agenda, classified appointments and consent agenda, pupil personnel services and special education. Okay, seeing no questions or need for review, can I have

085a motion, please, to approve this evening's consent agenda? Cali Ericson, seconded by Jen Bole. All those in favor, that is six to nothing with one absent. So on this evening's consent agenda, we have the approval of the merger of the Ry girls rugby team with uh the girls team from Bronxville for the 2526 school year. And we always welcome the opportunity to partner with our neighbors to ensure access um for great athletic experiences for all student athletes. We also have approval of a gift in the amount of $160,500 from the Osborne PTO to p purchase flexible furniture for our classrooms as well as a gift in the amount of $1,117,000 for Midland PTO to purchase additional flexible classroom furniture. We are so fortunate for the generosity of our community, which allows us to support our

086students and our teachers with furniture that supports learning in ways that certainly were not understood or appreciated when I was a student and are certainly appreciated now by our teachers and our students. And so we really appreciate the generosity, continued generosity of our community. We also have our approval of our coaches for this spring for our unified basketball team. And I would just uh put in a big plug and I would say if you have never had an opportunity to attend a unified basketball game, please make sure you find the time to do it. It is um probably one of the highlights for me of the spring sports season. And I say that with a spring uh sports athlete in a different sport. No shade. No shade as the kids say. All right. And we

087also are approving or accepting the retirement this evening of Miss Sally Mitchell. It is with sadness that I announce the retire that that I announce that Miss Sally Mitchell will be retiring at the end of this school year. Miss Mitchell began her career at the Ry City School District in 2007 as a science teacher at the high school. Throughout her tenure, Sally has been an integral member of the science department, teaching chemistry, honors, AP chemistry, action physics, super physics, science, science research, and has served as an academy teacher. She has helped write and develop curriculum for AP chemistry, physics, physics honors, academy physics, academy action research, and statistics, and she has been an active participant in the district's mentor program. Miss Mitchell has also made a significant impact on students outside of the classroom. She

088served as advisor for both the chemistry club and the science olympiad club for more than seven years. She was the coach of the JV volleyball team for several seasons and continued to volunteer with the program even after stepping down from her official coaching role. Miss Mitchell earned both of both her bachelor of science and chemistry and biology and her master of science and education from Syracuse University. Prior to joining the Rice City School District, she taught in Syracuse, New York, and in North Carolina. She also served as an Albert Einstein fellow with the Department of Energy's Office of Science in Washington DC. A ded a dedicated educator and leader in science education. Miss Mitchell has had her work published in the Journal of Chemical Engineering and has volunteered with numerous organizations including the American Association

089of Chemistry Teachers, Girl Scouts of New York Pen Pathways, the American Chem Chemical Society at the National Level, and the SPSCA among others. Miss Mitchell's contributions to science education have been widely recognized. Her honors include STEM master teacher, outstanding polymer educator of the year, outreach volunteer of the year, and the New York State Science Olympiad Service Award. She has received multiple grants, including the NSF funded scientific exploration through simulations, teacher participation grant, and co-principal investigator for chemistry workshops for high school teachers. These accomplish accomplishments reflect the dedication, passion, and leadership Miss Mitchell has brought to her work as an educator. Miss Mitchell, we will certainly miss you, as will so many of our students, and we wish you all of the best of luck in your retirement. We will now move on to presentation and

090discussion two and we will start with technology and education. Dr. Murray. >> Sure. Thank you. Um, at our last board meeting, we heard some comments from a community member about um, technology and education and how we use technology really here in the district. Um, and I just wanted us to have a follow-up discussion on that. Um, I want to, you know, I I take all all comments made um, very seriously and, you know, and I always appreciate the perspective that community members share. Um, I just wanted to to discuss what our district's stance is on the use of technology and education. Um, the first thing that we always keep in mind is that we want to make sure that we use technology technology purposefully. We want to make sure that we're using it intentionally to

091deepen learning um in order to enhance critical thinking and collaboration and creativity and never as a way just to kind of replace um something that could be done on pencil with pencil and paper and just being really thoughtful about the times that we're asking students to be on screens. Um also we believe that it needs to be developmentally appropriate. We recognize that technology should look different across different grade levels. So obviously our use of technology is different at the elementary level, middle school and high school. Um and again being thoughtful about those distinctions and those choices that we're making for our students at those different levels. And then the last thing is that you know balances are really important when you think about technology and and how do you balance technology with with with pencil

092and paper um activities. And we need to make sure that we're making that this is a healthy balanced balance and and that it impacts all the choices that we make and and just kind of having thinking twice about when we're using it and why we're using always keeping that balance in mind I think is really important. So as a district um I just want the community to really understand that those are the things that we're thinking about right now in terms of educational technology. Um, I also wanted to bring up there was um there was a the concern that was raised over literacy scores over the past um 20 years and I wanted to shed a little bit of light on that um because I think it's important um to understand the full context. So

093um about 20 years ago literacy was measured um using different standards with different assessments. Um so in 2006 um we had very high proficiency rates about 93% in Rye and then with the introduction of the common core in 2012 much more rigorous standards came in the assessments changed and rye saw a decrease at that point and so did was there a decrease across the state um so in 2014 the literacy scores were around 60 were 61% in ry since then we've had steady incremental growth Um, and then if you look at our scores this past spring, um, in in 2025, they were, uh, at 86%. So, as you can see, incremental growth along the way, and that's really due to our, um, our strong focus on literacy instruction the past few years. So, and that's

094and that's a lot to to be proud of. It's a lot to be proud of the work that our teachers are doing. Um, so I just wanted to note that that that while the our scores might not be exactly where they were 20 years ago, but there is a story in between there of of what that that is attributed to. And again, we're really proud of our growth and progress since then. Um, and also uh we are doing a lot in terms of kind of focusing um areas of focus in terms of moving forward. You know, we have found some places where we need to tighten up the work that we do. Um, one of those, and I think you know, Caitlyn Sassone talked about this when she was presenting her budget, is about, you

095know, monitoring and accountability and in increasing the amount that we're using our light speeded software to really make sure that our students are on the technology software that they're supposed to be on. Um, and also um dedicating our tech department to um understanding the ways that sometimes kids try to get around our filters and stopping those ways. And so we've been spending a lot of time on that and I think we've made a lot of progress in that area. And then another area of growth for us has really been in the middle school um specifically in sixth grade and how do we introduce our students to this one to one Chromebook program where they're taking these devices home and we want to um we're making some shifts in that and and making sure that before

096we give our sixth graders these devices to take home, they go through our student university, they understand our acceptable use policy, they do some work around digital citizenship before they're given that responsibility. So, that's a shift that Mr. Claire is looking to put in place for the fall. So, I just wanted to kind of share all of that with you. Happy to hear your thoughts and answer any other questions. >> I I really appreciate the idea that sixth graders are going to have the student university and acceptable use policy review. I a question uh I get from the community a lot and I know the answer, but it's always better when it comes from somebody of authority. My kid takes his Chromebook home and he's done his homework and then he's just playing on it.

097How can he get on all these websites? You just said it's blocked, >> right? So, the filter here when this when students are in our school and they're on our Wi-Fi system, we have filters. But when they're in your house, it's whatever filters you have or don't have in your house. So, it it does the device doesn't matter. It's this it's the Wi-Fi system that they're on. So the filters that we have set up are through the Wi-Fi, not on the Chromebook. Correct. And so parents need to understand that >> they can use their own Wi-Fi systems to set up blocks >> or they just have to have their own monitoring on it. >> Correct. >> Okay. >> Other questions? Um, so just in just thinking about that since there'll be this concerted effort around

098the student university for for the devices perhaps and maybe it doesn't have to be a full university but but something that um outlines for parents >> that this is not a blocked >> device for other you know the device itself does not have any limitations on it. When students are in school, >> our network prohibits the use of whatever, however we want to phrase it, so that it makes sense to parents. But when the device leaves the school, there are no limitations. And that is so you as a family have the freedom and the ability to make those decisions for your student child at home, right? Um, I think just being very explicit about that could be really helpful, especially for students that are coming into this for the first time and families who might

099be coming into it for the first time with >> this, you know, device that >> is has unfettered >> access >> um outside of the school. >> Yes, I agree. I and I think we could be much more explicit about that with parents. Yep. >> And again, perhaps this is a a question for Dr. own but if it's the light speeded software that is the gating factor that will filter out these things you know whether there's some sort of opportunity for parents to have it you know this is this is where you could purchase the same and set up the same default setting at home such that you know because I I feel like if you if you asked parents would you like to keep the same default setting of you know only accessing certain

100schoolbased uh you know tools and and and and apps at home as you would at school. I feel like the default Sure. Yes, I would like that. >> Yes. So, we've we've done a similar parent university in the past, but I think it's been a few years, but that I I think we definitely can put something like that on again for parents as well as send home communications regarding both. >> Yeah, I was going to say I think that sending home sometimes is >> even more helpful, right? Like I always like to have a something to go back to if I have a question, a reference material to go back because I do think in so many of the communications and conversations I've had with people around technology, there is so much concern about their

101access to using it the devices outside of those times of which we have set up those parameters and and the un the lack of clarity or understanding for them about where and how those filters exist, right? other questions or concerns? >> Um, the only other thing that comes to mind is as you're talking about um, you know, where we're where we're heading in in our thinking and probably are in many already existing thinking around balancing and developmental appropriateness and all of those things. Um, is there is there a thought process around having some sort of document that outlines those things so people can see where we are with that? Like almost like a like we did for the AI guidelines. >> So what we have right now and maybe Lauren could speak a little bit

102more about this because she's been sitting on our technology committee and they've been coming up with goals and so some of their goals are aligned to these this idea around balance. So Lauren, do you want to just talk about you know how what kind of shifts that the tech committee is looking to make. >> Yeah. So, one of the goals that we're looking at um to implement for next year uh with the tech committee is to really look at um we had a discussion about like what is an appropriate amount of time for a student um which is age level appropriate. But we decided that that really doesn't make sense because there are children who are in different curriculums and different assignments. So putting a number on it doesn't isn't really practical. but really looking

103at our assignments in those grades to say what is purposeful and meaningful and what could be extended and extra to be used on the device. So really looking at a curriculum and devising you know what is a good assignment that can be pen and paper and pencil and and mechanical with your hands and and thoughtfulness in addition can we expand on the the critical thinking by using a device. So really our preliminary curriculum is pen and pencil and going back to those um techniques, but then what where can we enhance it? And so we're looking at like um the teachers, especially for the middle school and sixth grade, gradually going into that process so that it's not so tech heavy when they first arrive here at the middle school. >> Right. >> Yeah. I think

104I think having something that helps people understand that philosophy like even just you saying our primary is >> pen and paper um in whatever you know um area that you're you're studying it's an important thing for people to hear that because I think unfortunately as we you know what what we know happens is there's a lot of reporting about places that are across the country and there's a lot of different things happening ing across the country in different states in different communities that is not what's happening here. And so I think we want to be really specific about what is as a district what is our philosophy about how we are going to use not just um technology but how we approach our curriculum and just being explicit about it because I think it's sort

105of that sort of is getting a little lost in this >> conversation that's happening about >> lots of places >> um that aren't necessarily accurate for >> right and to your point I think we need to find a way to document that and make that more public. And it's it's what's nice is that our our conversation shifting like in the tech committee. I can tell you that wasn't the conversation three year three or four years ago. Um so just just another example of that how how thoughtful that we are being um and and the things that I'm reading about what are happening other places aren't necessarily happening here and and which is which is great. Um but we also have to keep our conversation um moving as well. >> Great. Yeah. >> Thank you. >>

106Aren't we going back to teaching cursive? >> Right. Yeah. But I I say that in jealousy >> because I find the >> Wait, are we really? >> Yes. >> Cursive. >> Yes. >> Yeah. I asked I I won't say it because it'll embarrass people, but I have a high interest in it. But I do that that has been part of the conversation that is happening in in circles. And so I think it's important, you know, that's one of those things that people forget about, but actually is already being done. There's already a plan, you know, and so this conversation about loss of textbooks. I have a stack of textbooks on my kitchen counter that come in in September and stay till June that my kids from high school bring and reference. And so we haven't

107lost textbooks and we haven't lost cursive. And so >> there's there is room for improvement, but there are good things happening. And I think that's where it is that idea of being able to make sure that you can communicate that and then allow there to be places on the website where people can go using their technology and find their information about the lack of technology. >> Exactly. >> You know, it's like who's on first. >> Um Okay, thank you. I appreciate the followup. That's great. Uh okay, so Miss Bole, policy review on AEDs. >> Yes. So um we reviewed this originally um not p the past meeting but the meeting before as our first um pass for this policy change. Um it essentially is was such a substantial update that we decided to incorporate pieces

108that were already in existence but then there was additional um pieces that we needed to make sure we were uh including from an update that came from the state. So, and we paused on it because we wanted to be sure that from a operational standpoint, we were all in line with what the changes are to the regulation and the policy. So, this is the same thing that you saw now 3 weeks ago, maybe a little more. Um, there's no changes to it from that first review. Okay, great. So, any additional questions from our initial pass? No. Okay. All right. And then information and discussion. Miss spoil. Don't go too far. >> I'm not. Um so we you'll find out in the next part of the agenda that we had a policy committee meeting and um

109as part of that we have uh in our information discussion um the regulation for the AED policy for us to see for information. Um and then we also have a policy 1500. Um, this was looked at as part of our regular review cycle that we've been doing to um, go through all of our policies. And what we found was there's there was this policy 1500 and then there was another policy called schedule one >> for public use of district facilities. And we felt it was just it just made more sense for that to be a part of public use of district facilities to incorporate schedule one instead of a having a separate policy with the same number that said schedule one. So that is what you're looking at here. And there were some slight changes

110to it which is where the crossouts are. >> Yeah. So I have two questions. Um I'll go one with the uh procedural first. is was there a conversation or um any discussion related to making the schedule one a regulation as opposed to a policy? >> So we did talk about that as part of the meeting. Um, we felt like because it was more specific to particular parts of um, particular organizations and particular uses that it made sense to have it be incorporated into the policy. Um, there is no other regulation. >> No, it would have to be a new regulation. >> We' have to we'd have to create as a separate regulation. Um, I think the other thing we discussed was that we felt like since it had been separated out as a singular policy

111on its own that it made sense to bring it back in to the original policy because there must have been some reason why it was an independent policy to be called out. >> Okay. I mean, I I just see it more as a the way I read it, it does seem to be that it's more of a function as opposed to a statement of thoughts or actions. So, that's just where I was, but I'm certainly the recommend I'm happy to support the recommendation of the committee. I do have a question though about when we look at uh the groupings and so you look at Ry youth sports groups and that's BOE approved booster clubs but if it's a BOE approved booster club it is a parent it is a group of parents which so then

112my question would be why isn't it a part of a Ry parent groups >> instead of a Ry youth sports group youth sports yeah except >> you're just you you make the assumption and maybe it is at the time that all booster clubs are athletically driven but they don't have to be. They could be other things. >> So are you are you trying to make a distinction for say like uh >> I would just mo yeah like like music, theater, those things then then those would be Ry parent groups as opposed to only Ry youth sports groups. But even if you weren't going to throw in theater or band or anything, >> right, >> it's still a parent group similarly to, you know, these other ones which are embedded in part of the school community

113>> as opposed to the community at large. >> Right. So I don't know that we have any other distinction for a booster club other than what ex what we know of today for our sports programs and you know other programs. >> Well even so it my point being that like Ry little league those are >> right they're separate they're separate from community organizations really >> and the only reason a booster club exists is because it's based in the school. >> Yeah. So that we can remove >> booster club >> club unless there's something else that >> I just pop them up into the parent groups. >> Yeah. Yeah, we could do that too. >> That's what I would I wouldn't remove it. I'm just saying add it every So remove >> Ry youth sports groups

114and put it all >> No, no, just the BOE approved booster clubs. Move that into the Ry parent groups grouping. >> Makes sense. Any other questions? No. Okay. So, we'll make that change and then bring it back to our next meeting. >> Sorry, I have one other question. I'm being super annoying and it's late and everybody wants to go home. But Miss Peruio, how does one go about getting onto this list? Like what if there's a new group that comes to be? How do they get themselves added to this list of >> So they would come to my office. >> Okay. >> And then I would come to the board. >> Got it. Okay. Thank you. >> I promise I'm done. >> Moving on. That's all you had? >> Yep. >> Okay. Awesome. Thanks. Uh,

115okay. So, board and district committee updates, past meetings, that was the policy meeting. Did you have anything else you wanted to add? >> No, we went through we there's were three or four other policies that we reviewed that didn't have any changes to them. So, we are um getting dangerously close to the 2020s. >> Oh my gosh, that's fun. >> Yes. >> All right. Great. Uh, and we have an upcoming curriculum council meeting. So, we look forward to hearing about that after our break. Uh, were there any other committee meetings that met? >> Nope. Okay. So, now we will move on to the highly anticipated board members announced their intention to seek reelection. And so, we have two members up for re uh who are whose seats their terms that's how I'm going to talk

116about it. Their terms have expired. And so, there is an opportunity this evening for both of those board members. That's Mr. Tom Stein and Miss Sean Clapper to share if they plan to seek re-election. So, ladies first, Miss Clapper. Thank you. Um, so first I would just like to say that it has been a privilege to sit in the seat for the past three years um with my fellow board members and administrators in collaboration. I can't believe how quickly the time has gone by. It's really been um an extensive learning experience for me not having a background in education. Um and I've just really enjoyed the experience and learning how everything operates in the district. And through that process, um it's just become very aware to me that everything every decision is made very thoughtfully,

117very intentionally. Um, and it's it's really quite something to be a part of this group and work with you all on that pursuit. Um, so that being said, I would love the opportunity to continue in this role and will run for reelection. >> Okay, great. Very exciting. Thank you, Mr. Stein. >> Thank you. I would uh you know echo everything Sean said except that it's been six years uh for for me uh with a pandemic in there and a variety of other fun things we've uh we've dealt with over the years. It truly has been uh a privilege um and an honor to work with all of my current board members, former board members and current administration and former administration. Um and it uh it has been great. Um, my schedule, especially the last year,

118has gotten more and more intense. Um, and so I'm going to, uh, call six years as, uh, as a good run. Um, and will not seek re-election this time. >> Well, I don't love it, but I understand it and I appreciate it and we thank you so much. Um, we have plenty of time for goodbyes and for everything else that will follow, but it has been a pleasure to work with you. And so, uh, thank you so much. And your term is not done. So, no matter how busy your schedule is, you are here with us until June 30th, sir. So, we look forward to seeing you many more times between now and the final board meeting. And with that being said, our next board meeting is going to be on April 14th. And at

119that time we will have our budget adoption. Always a great time for people to come out and tell us all of their thoughts about the budget and everything else that's happening in the school. So with that, can I have a motion to adjourn this evening's meeting? Matt Shipoff, seconded by Tom Stein. All right. All those in favor? That's six to nothing. Have a good evening.