001Good evening. Thank you for joining us for tonight's December 2nd board of education meeting. Uh if you could all join me with a 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. and I'll turn the meeting over to Dr. Murray. >> Hi, good evening everyone. We'll be starting tonight with a performance from our high school jazz band. They're here to kick off our holiday concert season. Uh thank you to all of the members of our jazz band for being here. Thank you to Tyler Schwarian and Matthew String as well. And I'll hand it off to them. >> Good to see everyone. Congrats and the soccer team. We're happy you're
002here to support us and we're happy that you won for a championship. Please enjoy our song. This is the title Caribbean Christmas. And again, welcome to the holiday concert season for our music department. [applause] >> [music] [music] >> Heat. Heat. [music] >> [music] >> Heat. Heat. [music] >> [music] [music] >> Heat. [music] Heat. Heat. Heat. [music] Heat. Heat. [music] [music] >> [music] [music] [cheering] [applause] >> Good job. [applause] Okay, once again, thank you so much to our high school jazz band. One more round of applause for them, please. [applause] And tonight, we are pleased to honor a group of extraordinary students. The Rye Recognition of Excellence Awards were created in 2012 to recognize students who have achieved great things in the arenas of academics, arts, and athletics. Tonight, we are honoring 25 Ry High School
003student athletes who competed and won at the highest level of high school sports. For the second time in three years, they are state champions. The Rye High School girls soccer team had an extraordinary season, ending the regular season with an undefeated 1703 record. This earned them a spot in the section 1 class A girls championship versus the previously undefeated Pleasantville team who they defeated two-0 on November 2nd. This was their third consecutive section 1 class A title. The team then proceeded to the regional semi-final match against Our Lady of Lords, winning 3-0. They then garnered a two-0 win versus Seville to advance to the state final four tournament in Courtland. In a game marked by numerous lightning related starts and stops, the team beat Shelmont 5-0 in the semi-final on Saturday evening and they won
004the next day versus Aquinus 4-0 in heavy snow. The team's ending record for the season was an undefeated 213. They allowed only six goals all season. [applause] Thank you to the team, parents, families, and coach Rich Savage, Amanda Yanut, and Alyssa Valente for bringing home the second state championship win in three years for girls soccer. [applause] And we also have a special guest here. We have Mayor Cohen, who'd like to come up and say a few words. [applause] So, uh, thank you, Dr. Murray. Thank you, school board, for in inviting me. Uh, first, congratulations to the super soccer moms and dads who are here. You've done obviously a tremendous job in your parenting role. and congratulations as well to the coaching staff. But to the uh amazing, incredible uh girls of of the soccer team,
005I want to offer the city's heartiest congratulations. You've amazed us. You've enthralled us. You've inspired us. now for the second time in 3 years with a championship. It's absolutely incredible. So, it's my privilege to thank you on behalf of 16,000 Rye residents for what you've done. Congratulations. [applause] And and now I have from the city for you uh for each of you a proclamation that I hope you'll keep for many years as a momento of this great achievement. Thank you again. [applause] Okay. So, will you please come forward to accept your award and your city proclamation? And congratulations of the administrators and board of education members. Uh, please come forward when I call your name. Harkin Brown. [applause] Parker Calhoun. [applause] >> [applause] >> Julia Carbalo, Lucy Kerry. [applause] Congratulations, Claire Curran. [applause] Congratulations Jillian
006De Santo, [applause] Paula Edinger. [applause] Congratulations, Ella Fleckton. [applause] May Hustlin [applause] Hannah Jackman [applause] here. Charlotte Keenan. [applause] Congratulations. [applause] Tessa Labowitz. Phoebe Lee, [applause] [applause] >> Allesia McKinnon, [applause] Congratulations, Fiona Marino. [applause] Congratulations. [applause] Jessica Marara, [applause] >> Claire Nemik, [applause] Ryan Oddonnell, [applause] [applause] Eleanor Pandle, >> [applause] >> Shar Rand [applause] Blake Sass, [applause] Emma Stark. [applause] [applause] Congratulations Caroline Tag, [applause] Emily Walsh, [applause] and Samantha Yay. [applause] Okay, let's get one more round of applause for all of our state champions. >> [applause] [applause] >> And now we're going to ask all the students to come on back up against that wall so we can get one big group picture. [applause] >> What do you think? So they're not all in there. >> And did you get to see them perform? Let's
007take a clever There you go. One, two, three. >> [applause] >> two more. [applause] down the middle. One, two, three. >> [applause] >> today. All right, Mom. I'm not going to lie, that was by far the most fun we've had at a board meeting in a long time. No offense to all the other wonderful presentations that we've had this far this year, but nothing's better than a jazz band and a student recognition. That was great. Uh so we will now continue on with the report of the superintendent, Dr. Murray. Thank you. Uh and welcome to the December 2nd board of education meeting. Um as you've said, it's very it's been a very exciting meeting so far. Uh, and as we are reminded tonight or as we reminded tonight, um, now we are embarking upon our
008holiday concert season and there are several upcoming performances this month that are not to be missed. The Milton Holiday Concert on December 4th at 9:00 a.m. Ry Middle School vocal concert December 4th at 7 p.m. Senior Scenes December 6th at 2:00 and 7:00 p.m. Rye High School vocal percussion concert December 8th at 7 p.m. Ry Middle School orchestra concert on December 9th at 7 p.m. And the Midland Band Orchestra and Chorus Concert December 10th at 9:15 a.m. Osborne Band Orchestra Chorus Concert December 11th at 9:30 a.m. Ry Middle School band concert on December 11th at 7:00 p.m. and Ry High School band and Orchestra concert on December 15th at 7 p.m. So yes, a lot of performances are coming our way and they are they are definitely not to be missed. Um, so I also
009want to provide an update on the construction work at Midland and Osborne. We've made steady progress on the new connectors at both schools over the past week. The Midland Connector is now fully framed and the Osborne connector is expected to be framed by the end of the week. You will notice on the board of education agenda that we are contracting with a new roofing company. This change is due to scheduling challenges and quality concerns of the previous contractor. Roofing work at Midland will begin tomorrow and is expected to be completed by the end of the week. Osbourne's roofing work is scheduled to begin next week and should also finish by week's end. Once the roofing is complete, we will move on to the interior work, including the HVAC system, ceilings, floors, and drywall. After the
010roof, roofs are installed, we will share an updated timeline with the completion of the new wings. Next week is inclusive schools week, which we are celebrating in our schools through various activities, including a kindness chain at the elementary level, a sticker contest with stickers created by the Garnets and the Salt Squad, and a pizza party at the middle school and high school provided by Rays. Thank you to Ray and to our faculty members who helped us organize these events. This Friday at 6:00 p.m., our varsity football team takes on Brighton at the JMA Wireless Dome in Syracuse in the state championship game. We are holding a send off for them at 3:00 p.m. on Thursday. Best of luck to the team and coaches. And that concludes my report for this evening. Okay. Thank you. Uh
011so we will move on [clears throat] to presentation discussion number one, facilities update. >> Just give me one second. I got signed up. I'm sorry. And take all the time you need. No rush. You want me to do it or you got it? >> I don't. >> You're good. Okay. >> That's a tough act to follow, but I'll do my best. So, >> are you going to be singing, dancing, kicking a ball? What are you doing, Rob? >> No, [snorts] just just speaking, unfortunately. So, um >> it'll be great. But thank you for the opportunity for um allowing me to provide this update. Um the facilities department is here 12 months of the year. So uh the summertime's like our Olympics. I feel like the other 10 months of the year we're just planning for
012that those six weeks of unfettered access. Um so here's the update. So one of the tenants of the Ry commitment is to uh continually seek feedback and reflect on our work. um in an effort to um constantly improve. Uh and just the exercise of creating this slide deck and perusing through hundreds and hundreds of photos of all the projects um allows us to take a second look and um what went well, what could be, you know, what are some of the lessons learned, what could we apply to the next project. Um like I said, all in the um effort to continue that commitment of constant improvement. So, I'll begin with the capital project work. Um, the which goes back to the 2019 uh B uh 79.9 bond authorization. this summer. What our are areas of
013focus were um were three major areas which were the high uh which were the performing arts center uh act two uh if everyone recalls act one last summer was the painting house lighting a little uh minor abatement uh around the house lighting to facilitate that installation u and this year was the the second portion of it. So it was always going to be a phase project just because there's limited access and uh we broke it up into what was achievable. The second area of focus were the Midland and Osborne additions um uh which I'll uh go into a little more detail with and to a much lesser degree. There was a little bit of a punch list at the high school media center. Again, that's related to access, but it was finishing up some concrete
014pads and access um accessibility access for the courtyard that's adjacent to the media center. So, um here are some photos of those the two main areas of focus in the uh the upper left and upper right hand corner are what I was describing uh with the performing arts center. So there were um the act one which was the first phase uh was the the lighting, the house lights, uh the painting, the curtains around the perimeter. That was all completed this summer. There this picture gives you a good sense of the three tasks that were happening. The seats were removed. We're prepping the floor. Um in one of those photos is actually the owner of the company that was there. Um, and they're uh they're walking on top of some some foam which was anticipation of
015the concrete that was poured in front. And the concrete there as well as on the exterior in the upper right was all related to changing the slopes and axis and and um and ex and making it a more accessible theater. Working in a building from 1930, it just had different parameters. So that's always a challenge. But every effort to improve it uh was made. The the the remaining the seats are all in. Um the theater was in uh was completely functional for for the return of superintendent's conference day that that uh prior to um uh Memorial Day um or Labor Day coming in. So with all of the projects that we handle, we always have to make sure that we're not impacting its use either instructional or for faculty or staff. Uh and we did
016achieve it. There's a few other elements that need to be completed which are some handrails, some carpeting, um as well as the um the lighting and sound project which was which was um it it was fun it in collaboration with the the RI fund for education, the PTO's as well as the transfer to capital. So I'll get into that a little bit uh later on. So a lot of these projects have multiple approaches and that the lighting and the pack was was one of them. So um some of the other photos here are all related to the the additions that happened at Midland and Osborne. So it was it was critical uh with the additions to make sure that the buildings arrived prior to school starting. It was a major uh it the craning operation
017was a major operation and for those who haven't followed the project it it's modular construction not in the sense of temporary or mobile but it was a factorybuilt building and for all intents and purposes when it's when it's completed it's a it's a standard construction probably overbuilt uh but it the footprint when I calculated it was like a twoacre footprint at Osborne just to achieve that So, we actually did a site visit um over the summer uh to the factory. Gab and I took a ride down to uh to Amish country and visited it. And we did make some strategic decisions. There was there was a few things that we knew weren't going to be completed at the factory, although they could have been, but they were minor, such as uh you know, unpainted frames
018or some door frames that could come afterwards. But we did know that the non-negotiable was this major craning operation which which we achieved in the nick of time. Uh the the photo uh and the the upper center is the one of the modulars actually swinging in in the air. Um and it was it was really a concerted effort. Um I included the one photo of the the police vehicle there. Um it really was a citywide effort allowing us to use this the the snow lot. um the the police coordinating directly with us and the contractor to make sure that the road access and the community was informed so we weren't uh blocking roads unnecessarily. Um so they were they really were a helpful partner. Um but I just want to say thanks again. Um I
019I have to touch upon some of the issues. When they did arrive, we went through a pretty thorough inspection process that um we weren't able to do at the factory. And there were some there were some omissions and some errors in the factory. Uh namely some storm water piping that was supposed to be installed within the wall and it wasn't. Um and some of the the code-driven um fire rated fire rated openings that needed to be addressed. Some of these unfortunately required some deconstruction um and it had to be rebuilt. Um however, we weren't willing to sacrifice any of the quality or the safety. Not just cuz uh not just for for code reasons, but ultimately for the longevity of the building, the um and we weren't uh we weren't willing to compromising compromise on
020that. Unfortunately, that did um extend the the on-site construction time uh a little bit beyond our control. So, um we believe we're in a good place right now. Um and I think Dr. Dr. Murray described in some of the timeline of the roof that will uh once that's complete and we're we can we can feel confident that it's a dried building, we can then uh we then complete the the schedule for all the remaining tasks which was in a a bit of um uncertain period up until up until now. So you >> So the next uh the next funding source essentially is a transfer to capital. >> Sorry, Mr. Megliano. The picture this last picture with the brick. What is that? >> Uh hold on a second. >> In the lower right hand corner. So
021that is the thin brick uh insulation going that's in progress that is in the uh it's in the southwest corner of Midland. Uh that's where we started. Um, it's another example of some there was some craftsmanship that we were a little concerned with, but luckily we were a we were able to catch it within the first 5t and they had to redo it. And so that's been a slower, painstaking process, but it is coming out well. So, the brick was not done at the factory for a number of reasons cuz it's a weight and transportation. It it's a rigid material. So that that a little bit of movement was not um it it it would affect the overall installation. But we have a but it's also an energy saving approach because it's a fully it
022there's a full foam envelope on the exterior. So it's a more energyefficient building and the brick is really just a veneer to match the existing. >> Right. So that's actually what the units will look like once they're fully wrapped. >> Yeah. The intention in both buildings. So, so we're looking at Midland. The intention is u with the surround around the buildings and the and the little pre-cast coins around the the the window itself is mimicking some details that are on uh on the the portion of Midland that it abuts against. And the same at Osborne. So, if you drive by Osborne, the window color is different. The the the proportions of the windows are a little bit different. the the buildings are not identical, but they're they're intended to match the proportions of of the
023existing. So when it's done, hopefully someone drives by and can't see where the start and the stop point was. So >> sure. So getting back to the transfer to capital, uh this fund allowed us to plan uh a few projects which has been really helpful and there the the three major ones that we're able to to do this summer is completing the high school gym. Um and I'll I'll just toggle back and forth to that a second. So um [clears throat] the high school gym is depicted in the three photos in the bottom. uh leading up to the summer. So much like the pack, the high school gym was divided into two different phases. The first phase of the gym was done last year. There was a complete uh encapsulation and painting of the gym.
024Uh maintenance on the lights, maintenance on the hoops. There was a a motorized partition which is no longer used that was removed uh in anticipation of doing the floor. So we worked from the top down. Um and what you see in the lower left corner was uh inc encapsulating the room containing the room for abatement. Uh so the in the leadup to the summer like I said the summer is the Olympics but their breaks are like state championships. So we uh one of the April breaks we did a test area. We're able to move the bleachers. and moving the bleachers. It's a it's a 90 ft bank of bleachers, but we did a test area below the bleachers. did a um uh deabatement below there, put a temporary floor, rolled the bleachers back, and that
025and that week of um investigation allowed us to come up with a plan and extrapolate the time that we needed for the rest of the gym and the abatement, what kind of tools and methods, and then I was able to work with our athletic department knowing that it was going to go a little bit beyond the school year. So in April, we already we already started to um to come up with a plan that would um that would allow the completion of the project without any compromise um and still and and not affect the program. So the the second half of the gym is what we did this summer and it's the abatement, the flooring installation. You can see the completed product on the right. Uh the flooring installation is a it's a multi-step process
026and again the the the preparation of the floor after the abatement leveling it acclimating the wood the the way it's stacked there looking at moisture temperatures we are monitoring the room it was it was a lengthy process but um ultimately we're hoping it just leads to the to the longevity of the floor for um you know many years to come. the the gym on the right is is the completed product and all the line striping, the game lines. Uh our our gym is not one of the largest in the areas by by any stretch. It's actually one of the smaller ones, but um I I know uh Susan, our delay, our athletic director, went through 13 iterations working on the game lines and squeezing in pickle ball and and I you know, I was kind
027of mediating some of that, saying like we we got to get it done and and uh but she was very persistent and um we squeezed a lot into that gym. So hopefully that uh that helps all the PE programs in addition to some of the competitive games. toggle back. So, um we were able to focus a lot on Osborne as well through this through this capital fund. Uh this year the Rye uh YMCA was not occupying uh the building as they have in years past and we really took advantage of that. Um and it the some of the bigger projects that we handled were um there there was a landlock courtyard that had an issue that we we learned um you know some of the limitations during hurricane Ida that it was relied on some
028mechan uh some electric pumps to drain some of that coreyard when it overflowed and we're able to to rip up some sections of hallway connect to a storm drain and alleviate that problem. Um, I will say that option only became available because there was some forethought in the the original bond planning from 2019 that when the secure vestibule was done, there was a storm water pipe below that area that was addressed. It was investigated all the way to the street, repaired, and allowed this additional capacity. So, this courtyard, which hasn't drained since the addition came sometime in the 80s, uh, but now it does. So, it's just another item that uh it's one less thing to to worry about uh when we have some of these storms. So, the things that are more visible, uh
029we were able to handle one of the string rooms, uh at Osborne. That was originally something that we were going to do with outside contractors. Uh you could see it in the upper center here. That's uh but we were able to do this with a combination of some outside contractors and utilizing our in-house staff as much as possible. So, they completed the the rewiring of the room, some of the the mechanical relocation. Uh this room did not have an acoustic ceiling. It does have um but it does have one now and it has the same flooring that we standardize in in the other music rooms throughout the district. Um, and the picture on the upper right here is a bathroom in progress. Um, we are actually able to utilize some of our attic stock that
030was left over in each of the other projects. And we we managed to whittle together three bathrooms worth of tile. And um that that's uh three three bathrooms that weren't accessible. They were only accessible through a classroom in a in a former kindergarten room. So we were able to kind of flip that that access provide additional restrooms for faculty and and teachers in that building. So um but again that was that was all possible because we had full access. The cafeteria [clears throat] roof was also completed um in it was uh there were 12 skylights in there. It's been one of those roofs that were that required a little more attention um in the district and it was one of the older ones, one of many, but it was one that was more problematic than
031others. It's kind of exacerbated with having that many skylights, but that was a roof that we were able to handle. Um, and in terms of I can't speak entirely to the funding part, but there was portions from transfer to capital and being that it was in a cafeteria, it's helping that um it's helping the the overall cafeteria program by having a dry roof. So, uh, I did mention the performing arts center, uh, the seating and and the accessibility changes, but like I said, there was portions that were added that were not included in the original bond. Um, and that and the example one of one is the lighting, which we intend on um, beginning mid December to mid January and there was a bit of a lull in how the the auditorium is used. I
032mean, it's a heavily used space, but it's the one time that we're able to take it offline and complete that um complete that project. So, look forward to that. And one of the last um uh big areas of focus is one in the absence of a transfer to capital project or or a larger um bond project there. There is the ongoing facility maintenance. Um >> I'm sorry. Can I didn't realize you were moving on. Can we just go back one second to the transfer to capital? >> Sure. >> Um so you mentioned about the cafeteria roof. Just so just so I'm clear. I'm assuming it was partially um was it lunch the lunch fund and um transfer of capital that were combined to do the roof. >> Okay. >> And then just one other thing
033and I'm I'm asking this knowing that I don't have to get an answer right now. Um and if you have one great um but it can come back later. Are there are there any other transfer to capital projects that we're continuing to work on or is do is this like a completed list for what we designated from last year? So uh as part of this update, this is what was what we completed. Um I I do have some uh slides further on which are next steps which includes what what our plan is for future transfer to capital projects. Okay. >> Um but it is an ongoing uh constant evaluation um for you know needs throughout the district. >> Right. >> If I may I believe the question what was designated um right? >> Correct. what
034was designated as part of the 2526 budget, which is the year that we're in right now, which is where the transfer to capital lived for these projects. They are almost all of them are complete with the exception of the lighting and sound in the high school, middle school, the auditorium um because we're still waiting on pieces um that need to be installed. Okay. But anything everything else that was identified has been completed as of now. >> Okay. Thank you. Yep. We'll go through that process again as we talk about the um budget because there will be an allocation within that budget for transfer to capital. So, as part of our routine facilities and maintenance department projects, uh, as as we, uh, look at the summer, we try to try to develop projects to keep to
035maximize the skill of our crew, uh, and and get the maximum value out of, um, out of their abilities as well. So what we what we did this year were three rooms in uh actually I'm sorry four rooms in a high school and middle school as well as the strings room at the at uh Osborne which they did a portion of but at the high school middle school um again it's this this slow um phasing towards the end goal and the three rooms 221 through 225 here at the middle school are an example of one where uh prior Even me starting here in 2019, there was a curtain wall that was replaced. And then in 2021, the mechanicals as part of the the bond project uh were changed. So all the ventilation were upgraded in
036those rooms. What was left was a lowlying fruit um that we were able to do with our crew. So the ceiling, lighting, completing the painting um and the the teaching wall was completely um demolished. the the old chalkboards that would never be utilized, like they were actually a painted glass uh to mimic a chalkboard that was all removed, cleaned, and and modernized. And that was all done with uh with in-house u in-house staff. So, and I could show you that >> that's I find that absolutely amazing that it was painted glass that was being used as a >> Yeah, it it wasn't uncommon. It wasn't a compromise. It was a common >> that that's what that >> Yeah. It was a textured green paint and it and it behaved like chalk. >> We have that
037at Osborne, too. >> Yeah. So, >> fascinating. >> Sorry, I digress. >> That's usual. >> Sure. The the photos in the the lower left and the the the lower center are the room during construction and the completed room. So, um, so we looked at it very comprehensive, but the the photo on the left, you could see a bit of the mechanical unit there, but there were there were some some strategic steps leading up to it that focused on the building envelope and then the ventilation and ultimately just uh cleaning it up and, you know, getting the old maps of the uh uh the outdated maps that roll up and never, you know, roll down but never roll back up. So um so it's you know modernized to our newer standard. So uh in addition I
038did want to uh touch upon the building condition survey. So the building condition survey is uh mandated by New York State Department of Education every 5 years. Um, I think the intention from their perspective is to make sure that you're constantly evaluating your buildings and they don't fall into a state of disrepair. I would like to to say that in Ry, we don't wait the 5 years, you know, nor a mandate and a checklist. Like I think every time we're walking a building, we're evaluating, we're looking up, looking down, and and you know, um gathering information and data through through work orders and and issues that that that staff bring to us and you know, creates a picture of where our issues are. Um but we did but we do have to file this this
039required document that does um need uh professional certification from architects and engineers. So we with the data that we have and the information that we have, we could kind of guide it and say, can you please hyperfocus in these areas because they've been problematic or or uh mechanical equipment that is continually failing or roofs that need a lot more attention repairs than others, they they could they um they could just focus that and make sure that it's included. So that was just a lot of appointments and walkthroughs and looking at the buildings. And it's also it was an also it was also an opportunity for myself to walk around with a different purpose and a and a different perspective and and um and make sure we're documenting it. So that report is ultimately not filed
040till March or uh the deadline is March. Uh and we're working on getting uh those reports and there's going to be some followup with that with all the information. But this summer was our opportunity to um our opportunity to actually get that access and then document it. Uh once we get that documentation uh that's where that's where we're going to you you know we're going to evaluate. So, um I was I was tasked with um sorry, I do have to jump to well, I'll I'll touch upon this on next steps, but the building condition survey is one of the tools that ties into uh one of my one of uh the goals created for the five-year strategic plan and year one and what we're what we're working towards. And as Dr. Murray said we need
041to create a plan for our plan. So that's uh but I'll elaborate >> good plan for a plan. >> So what are the next steps? Um right now the again it's focusing on the completion of the bond project um the 2019 capital project as well as transfer to capital. So currently the remaining area of focus um and what we believe the funds will have guided us towards is the art design and engineering. So the what's uh in the the the attachment there is a is the floor plan of the high school. It's the first floor. The area highlighted in blue is the proposed area that we're focusing on. It's a It's a little less than 20,000 square ft. So, it is a it's a massive area. Um, and interestingly, there's one staircase that's highlighted in
042the middle of that blue area, which is a landlock staircase. The story behind that staircase is there was there again going back to multiple editions. And to the left of the staircase, we believe is like a 1962 edition. And to the right of that, sometime between 1970 and 80 was another edition. So what used to be a staircase that led ex directly to the exterior became landlocked. So um with any sedd filing and we've gone through multiple with the with the third floor and the elevator going you know to ancient history in 2020 when we were filing some of these things sedd did say well you're touching this area you must correct this and and most of them we've done so every courtyard needs two two means of egress. one of them must be um
043accessible uh to ADA standards and we've achieved that. Uh so what's left is this one landlock staircase which is it's a bit of a um it's a it's a bit of a game of Tetris with the architects getting uh you know falling within fire code and getting to the exterior the width and and so they're that puzzle is almost completed. I know um we're working with the architects on that and then hopefully we have a date of filing soon and once that is completed that the the area around the staircase is um could be the design could be finalized because it could shift to the left to the right we're not sure how it's going to turn. The staircase must lead directly to the exterior. It can't go into another smoke zone. So there's a
044few parameters that they have to work within. Um, but I will say leading up to that, um, our our our team and, uh, Gabby and I and Caitlyn, I think it was Halloween evening when the building was quiet. We were walking around and, um, we were looking. We So, >> you didn't find any ghosts? >> No, we didn't find any [laughter] candy either. >> There are skeletons in this closet. I have photos. Just saying. um found some failing curtain walls but >> [laughter] >> um so it uh so my focus is really the initially it's just the bones right and I think some of the lessons that we learned that the media center so the media center although it seems very detached it's part of that same era uh roughly 1962 so that curtain wall
045that has a stone exterior has this metal backing behind that was that's deteriorating and and and rusting away which we discovered when all the shelves in the library came down. So, we know enough now that we have to anticipate that that replacement should be part of it. It should be part of our phasing plan, right? So, um there's some there are some older roofs there that we should incorporate as well. Um so, we've kind of developed the scope of of the bones, right? So, it's the mechanical, the electrical, um, and some of that the exterior envelope stuff. I And we're currently working with the building administration for the, um, as well as all the admin to develop the instructional side. Um, and and we have to incorporate that. >> Yep. So, for the reasons that
046Rob said, I would say that the art design engineering space is still in the design process right now. uh we really want to make sure that um that there are we're maximizing the space for the instructional needs for our students needs and really to meet the demands of our program. As you know, we've we've really built up um our our design and engineering programs over the last few years. Um and we just want to make sure that we have the spaces to match it. And so we're we're thinking very carefully about that. But there are some pieces that have to we have to take care of first before we can have a final design for that part. Can I just ask about the So the staircase does not go outside. >> Sorry, I'm fascinated by
047the staircase now. The staircase doesn't go outside and it connects to the rooms that are around it. come out or no? >> There's a portion at if you know the building well enough, you could you can get to the exterior which goes down a level out by the wait room, but it it cannot it but you it reaches a point where you can uh on the first floor you can make a left and a right or go down. So a staircase should always intuitively lead you directly to the exterior and not in a in a panic situation. you reach that landing and you could go deeper into a building rather than the exterior. >> Right. Right. Okay. >> So, it would it met code in the 60s, >> right? >> I heard a lot about
048the 60s, so I don't know who's reviewing those [laughter] plans. >> So, I butce [snorts] [laughter] >> um but you know, once you um you know, file for other parts of the building, SEDD says, "Well, now now's our opportunity. We have your attention. You must bring this up to code and bring this up to code." >> So, it's one of the last elements. It's one of the trickier elements I I will say because that it impacts instruction. There's a greenhouse above. You know, we we want to position a staircase where we're not doing major structural work even though it might um it might carve out a little of the footprint, but um right, >> you know, you're not deconstructing twotory stone walls or putting up structural steel. So, that um that's right. >> Uh >>
049that's ongoing, but that's going to drive the rest of like Dr. Murray was saying all the um the the remaining design for that uh for that wing, >> there are going to be some consequences as a result of the reconfiguration of that staircase cuz from the first floor it's got to exit out. Um so we're not quite sure what that's going to do with the rooms on either side. Um, so we have to kind of figure out that piece first before we can fully develop the rest of art design and engineering. However, no summer goes wasted. [laughter] So, we are redirecting to what Rob has described as the curtain wall that we know cuz I have yet to meet a curtain wall in this building that doesn't need to be replaced. Um, so trying to
050take care of some of those bigger pieces that will really move us further along so that when we're ready to hit the intended purpose of what's left to do um for these spaces, we'll be ready to go without having to worry about those elements. If that makes sense. >> Yep. Thank you. >> Yep. So, I'm sorry to jump back, but there was one more point in the uh before I get to the the next next step. Uh but I did kind of glaze over it there. our facility department here. I was focused on what I was doing with the building condition survey, but when uh when the custodial crew is there and we have other work happening in the building this summer was a great example where we were literally from one end of the
051building to the other from the auditorium to the room we're in now. Um the the cafeteria, the gym, every corner of the building was touched and that has a huge impact on our custodial crew. So although the end product is fantastic, the transfer to capital fund was able to complete a lot of the uh all the remaining floors in in the hallways in the high school as well as some of the common spaces including this one. Um and it's what that has done is it it moved us away from the that chemical stripping um stripping neutralizing disposing of the chemical the purchase of the chemical the wax the access the dry time that's eliminated and what we've noticed in the last couple years is that freeing up of manpower has led to some significant changes
052in some of the maintenance that we do. We've been able to paint a lot more. Uh we've been able to to kind of empty rooms and and hyperfocus on on all the holes and entry points and and things that we haven't done in the past cuz um you know, we were increasing the longevity of the floor with this older process. So, you know, this newer product has given us that that opportunity. Um and if anyone's ever gone through a renovation in a house, when you have a contractor in one part, it's like the dust goes everywhere. So we we did that to them um to like >> over and over again, >> right? So this year was extra special because there was like no safe space in the building. We painted the the caf, you
053know, we painted the kitchen had a dishwasher in there. The gym was uh the the gym was being abaded in the the and um the the performing arts center was happening. So there was a lot. Um so I do I do want to point that out. and they, you know, they're they were with us every step of the way and understood the end goal that next summer is going to be so much uh so much better logistically and uh hopefully from a DUV's perspective. So, so getting back to the next steps, uh, which would be the transfer to capital. This is, um, this requires, um, a different approach just cuz there is some some input that we're going to solicit, uh, from from admins um, and and faculty to see where u what our priorities
054are going to be. um and then convening with the facility committee to uh kind of finalize that and what we present for budget adoption. So [clears throat] now how do we develop some of these priorities? This leads back to um what I was describing before with the building condition survey. So it's the same principles that we're following. Um I this year uh at our admin retreat tasked with this you know this goal of um of the fiveyear strategic plan I was able to kind of codify what we're doing much clearly. So u you know so everyone understands what some of the thought process is. So how do you how do you pick a project right? Uh and here it's defined in the column on the right. Um the criteria that's used, it's primarily life safety
055issues, right? Why why do we change a fire panel at Midland? Well, that's, you know, you you need a wellprotected building that you can evacuate and notified immediately. That's that's a no-brainer. Um so that's an example of a of a life um safety component of a building. Um next is water infiltration. We all know that the you know the damage of water coming from above and below. um that is a uh or whether it's plumbing systems, flooding, rain, they're they're, you know, extremely damaging. Um so any areas that have that, you know, have an issue with that, that drives what the next project is or area of focus. Um so once those those key, you know, life safety issues are uh alleviated, the it's really driven by our primary focus, right? We're an educational institution.
056So what are the what are the functions and aspirations that um that the building needs and how could we roll that into um roll that into our uh our areas of focus either through through the bond project or the transfer to capital. Um, and just to to sum up the the the rest of the criteria, um, th this is where there's a a little bit of discretion, but or there's a little more time to plan, which is, you know, end of life projections. For example, a roof, they they're warrantied for 25 years, but they could last 30, 35. But it's kind of knowing that, all right, we have a 20 we have a a roof warranted for 25 years. We're at year 20. we need to start thinking about what the next five years and
057looks like. So, um and the last one is uh maintenance cost versus uh uh replacement analysis. This is something you know that we're continually do. Do you keep repairing your old vehicle? Do you put 3 to 5 grand into it every year on a $50,000 truck and in 5 years you're at half the cost? Like those are the you know, is it um you could you could do that in perpetuity, but it's not wise, you know. So, those are the things that we don't want to lose sight of. Um, and that's that's, you know, uh, part of the part of the the goals for for this year. >> And I would say that Rob's looking at this with our all of our interior spaces and exterior spaces in terms of athletics. We with our instructional
058spaces outside as well. >> Yes. That um, right uh, fields and uh, fields and gyms are are an instructional space. So, absolutely. That's all I have. >> Well, that was a lot >> and it was great. Um, it's very very thorough and very thoughtful and I think it's kind of ending with the beginning which is all of these are instructional spaces, right? And so all of the work that is done is really with the idea of students and and instruction in mind and none of you know as we know good instruction only happens in good Good instruction can happen in all sorts of spaces, but even better instruction happens when you've got a great space. And so, um, it's great to hear that the kind of changes that have been made, like the changes to
059the floor, are really then giving back a lot of time, which we had hoped would happen, but now to be able to see it actually come to fruition is great. Are there questions or comments from the board? I just have one um highlight or it's not even a highlight, a personal request if we could really make sure that those lighting and sound pieces are ready because I don't know if you've heard but the spring production at the high school is going to be dynamite. It's gonna be lay miz and so amazing light and sound. Just saying. No extra pressure, but it's awesome. I mean, they do an amazing job anyway, but gosh, imagine. That's all I'm saying. >> I think we put pressure greater pressure on ourselves than anyone else. So, >> well, I don't
060want to add pressure. I was just maybe maybe more reason to be excited about your work. >> We can think about it that way. >> No problem. [laughter] Um I don't really have any questions. I kind of asked mine throughout. But um I am really um just so happy to see the strategic plan beginnings, the foundation of that for how we can look at um prioritizing all the different needs that our buildings have. We've done a tremendous amount of work and while that tremendous amount of work has made massive impact, we all know that there was a lot of other things to consider. when we started the um capital project and then even now have continued to try to get to every summer that which we can based on funds. But I think having this
061um this kind of identification criteria as well as evaluation to to help guide us, you know, so that we have a sense of where where do we want to be getting to cuz there's always, as we know, these buildings, there's always something that's going to pop up out of nowhere. And so you the this team has done an amazing job of always being able to attack those and take care of them. And but it's also I think just really um fantastic to be able to look down the road and say okay this is we thought this was going to be here but now it's here and how you can kind of play that chess game with with all the different elements that are out there. So I applaud you for getting that going and moving
062that forward and know what's happening in all the different areas um for the district whether it's instructional or um facilities or or you know everything else. So thank you for that work. Thank you. >> All right. Well, thank you so much, Mr. Kangliano. This is great. >> Thank you. >> All right. We will now move on to the hearing of the public on non-aggenda items. [snorts] We welcome and encourage our community members to address the board at this time. Please come to the podium, state your name, address, and if you are representing an organization. To ensure everyone has the opportunity to speak, please limit your remarks to three minutes. I would ask the district clerk to set a timer. So, if you hear a timer, please wrap it up. The board is here to listen.
063The public comment period is not designed to be a discussion. So, please understand we may not respond publicly to your comments or questions at this time. We take your comments seriously and may need more time to process and research an issue. We will ensure questions will be addressed by the appropriate staff member or possibly answered at a future board meeting. We will not entertain comments regarding individual students or district personnel as these are protected under state and federal privacy laws. Please know we take personnel concerns very seriously on these matters. We would ask you to follow the appropriate administrative channels. As a reminder, the community may submit written comments at any time to the board by sending those to rcsd boardschools.org. Seeing nobody come forward, we will now move on to approving the consent agenda
064or reviewing the consent agenda rather. Can I have a motion, please, to approve or to review this evening's consent agenda. Tom Stein, seconded by Matt Shibonoff. Let's take a look at tonight's consent agenda. Consent agenda, General. >> Um, I don't have a question. And I just wanted to point out that um there is a policy listed here that we will be repealing. It's policy number 2520 which has to do with board member training. Um this is all covered um through education law and does not uh which means there's no necessity for there to be a policy which is why we are putting it forward to be repealed. >> Cleaning up redundancies. Yes. Excellent. Uh, consent agenda, fiscal construction, consent agenda, fiscal, consent agenda, professional appointments, consent agenda, classified appointments, consent agenda, pupil personnel services and
065special education. All right, seeing no discussion, can I have a vote for this evening's consent agenda? All those in favor? >> [snorts] >> That would be seven to nothing. So on this evening's consent agenda, we have an approval of an agreement related to student data privacy with the language testing international which [snorts] is ensuring that all of our student privacy is maintained while working to help reduce our barriers for our students educational access. [snorts] As mentioned by Dr. Murray earlier in this evening's uh meeting. We have the approval of a roofing contractor for our new additions at Midland and Osborne and we look forward to that work being continued and moving us forward in the completion of those projects. [snorts] And we have the approval of staffing uh to support our students and the work
066of the district for many various things. So [cough] I'm fine. Okay. So, we will go now to information discussion for policy review. Mrs. Boille, >> thank you. Um, so we have one policy uh for information discussion tonight. It is policy number 2230. Um, as I've probably mentioned in the last several meetings, we've been going through a lot of our older policies to update them and make sure that where things are not relevant, we can um, repeal them or resend them. And where they are, we can keep the most relevant information. So, what you'll see here in this policy is um, the reduction of information that's included. Um, essentially this this policy talks about the officers and the district employees that we need to appoint every year at our annual reorganization meeting. Um, the rest of
067the information is is really just a description of what those people do. It's not necessary for the for the policy itself. So we've removed that information and um just kept the individual positions that are um appointed each year >> with the idea right that the job duties and responsibility is something that continues and is housed within the HR department versus a board policy. >> Exactly. >> Okay. questions. Sorry. Okay, then we will move that [laughter] forward for our next agenda for a um presentation and discussion too. Okay, great. All right, we will move on to communications to and from the board with our board and district committee updates. And we will start with Mr. Morris, our student exeicio board member report. Daniel, what you got for us? The high school student government has set up
068a new suggestion box right outside the media center at the high school to amplify student voice. We will be checking it weekly and sharing updates on any ideas we will we will be moving forward with. The student government also organized this year's Thanksgiving food drive and all items were donated to Bread of Life. On December 16th, there will be a 10th grade assembly with presentations about the AC academic program students can apply to for their junior year, including the academy, the international baloria diploma program, and BOCES. At the middle school, the middle schoolers celebrated World Kindness Day with a lunchtime dance party led by DJ Rob and students wrote kindness pledges. The RMS principal council is also putting together anformational packet for incoming sixth graders, a guide for success at Ry Middle School. For inclusive
069schools week happening December 8th to the 12th, there will be daily lunchtime activities, special morning announcements, a welcome greeting from the salt squad, and a raise sponsor sticker contest and pizza party. Osborne Osborne student government ran a very successful food drive with a local food pantry. Osborne students also wrote cards and letters to all the veterans who resided at the Osborne to honor Veterans Day. At the Midland School, students there organized a food drive this month and the student council there also led a winter clothing drive for local charities. Students also wrote cards to veterans in honor of Veterans Day. At the Milton School, Milton was now officially recognized as a no place for hate school after working towards this designation since the beginning of last year. Milton students also sent letters and cards to
070veterans, active duty soldiers, and first responders through Operation Gratitude. Fifth graders also honored local Riot veterans at a special breakfast and the school held a candy drive for soldiers. Thank you, >> Daniel. I got to tell you that report was so exciting to me. There were so many great things, so much philanthropy happening on behalf of our students and it's really great for you to be able to come and and share that information with us. I know personally that Milton's been working on that initiative for a while. So, it's really exciting to hear that that's actually come to fruition for them. And I love the suggestion box. I can't wait to hear what kind of things you guys bring forward. So, thank you. [snorts] Uh, curriculum council met on November 19th. Squater. >> Yes. Uh,
071so two weeks ago on November 19th, the curriculum council met. There were two different presentations. Um, one was on the new pathway courses that are being offered this year for the first time. Kevin Murphy who is a Ry High School math teacher presented the new geometry class and the new algebra 2 trigonometry class to the group. Um he started with the geometry class which is being offered for the first time in many years here in Ry. Um we have been offering algebra 1 to grade 8 um for some students and algebra 2 the following year and then followed by geotrigen um grade 10. So this is the last year for current students who are in that pathway. Um and everyone else who started um math 8 in grade 8 or algebra 1 in grade 8
072will follow the new pathway. Um and that started this year. Um so the geometry class uh the curriculum is a lot of solving proofs and writing proofs. Um so that has really strong ties to the right commitment with lots of communication, conversation in class and group problem solving tasks. students need to really think outside the box and find small pieces of information to progress with that work. Um so it's very collaborative. Um the course also follows the new state next generation standards and um students have to work to determine reasoning as to why something happens and provide justifications and the proof for it. The development of logical reasoning and the proof apply in real world context. For example, solving for the area of a room. Um there's a strong use of technology in the geometry
073class. There are many online systems [snorts] for simulations such as delta math and geogebra. It also encompasses um this curriculum encompasses the beginnings of right triangle trigonometry such as s and cosine. There is 2D and 3D problem solving for area, volume, surfaces, cross-sections, and this leads into algebra 2 trig for the next school year. So the algebra 2 trigonometry course that Mr. Murphy presented uh the curriculum encompasses functions such as quadratic, polomial and linear and that students learn some of this in their grade 8 algebra or grade nine algebra 1 course depending on their pathway. And there are um a large focus on trig functions and graphs. The outcomes of this course are to strengthen algebraic and problem solving skills, uh, trigraphing skills, and to apply math concepts to real world problems, and to model
074and solve real world problems. There's also a strong use of technology in this course, using online simulations and graphing systems, and a variety of tools to show real world applications. And students will see these principles again as they progress throughout their career at Ray High School in advanced math courses, physics, and engineering courses. And then our next presentation was given by Lauren Santa Barbara, the assistant superintendent for curriculum instruction and assessment. She presented the Westchester Community College dual enrollment courses that are being looked into for next year. These are semester courses. Um there new courses that would be offered next school year. There's two English courses under consideration. The Sunni English 101 writing and research and the Sunni English 102 writing and literature. Part of the Sunni Westchester Community College early college experience program. Um
075these are the these courses are a part of that program. We offer one right now. So this would be in addition to some dual enrollment through Westchester Community College that we already offer. And uh the students would be able to take three to six credits with them into college if they participated in these courses and paid for and pay the tuition which is required to get the credits. Um this would count for either one or two credits at Ry High School depending on which how many semester courses the student selected to take. Um and then Lauren gave us a um rundown of the English 101 writing and research course. It uh develops narrative writing. Students may even write their college essays in this class. They focus on reworking and rewriting a narrative. They also focus
076on descriptive writing, looking at critical inquiry into yourself. Um, they also do MLA format, which is technical writing or journalism, and there is an oral presentation, which is required in college courses. The English 102 writing and literature course focuses on academic conversations. Students read and respond to diverse literary and non-fiction texts. They have to write a comprehensive research essay of 4,000 words or 16 pages and complete one annotated bibliography, which is also a college requirement in most courses. Um, these courses tie to the right commitment with peer editing of essays, critical thinking, and student collaboration. [snorts] Great. Thank you. Uh I see we have a policy meeting coming up in few weeks that will be the same day as our board meeting. So I'm sure we'll get some updates at that time. Any other communications
077or committees that have met? Okay, seeing none, uh our next board meeting, as I said, will be on December 16th and one of my favorite topics will be social emotional learning or so. So that'll be a great presentation. Um, all right. There is nothing else on the agenda. So with that, can I have a motion to adjourn this evening's meeting? Sean Claer, seconded by Matt Shipoff. All those in favor, that is seven to nothing. Thank you.