CHUFSD Board of Education Work Session 6/4/26

One, action. >> Good evening, everyone. We are resuming the June 4th, 2026 work session of the Clarkstown Central School District. We have open meeting, we have called to order, we approved the agenda. We had um as we had entered into executive session, we are now at item 1.4, which is leaving executive session. Recommended action, be it resolved the Board of Education hereby enters I'm sorry, I'm Um recommended action, be it resolved the Board of Education hereby leaves executive session and returns to the work session. >> So moved. >> Second. >> On the question. All in favor. >> Aye. >> Opposed. Abstain. Motion carried. Item 1.5 is board reports. We will start with Advocacy. >> Thank you. Um so we have not um met as an Advocacy Committee since our last meeting. Um I'm going to try to get a final meeting scheduled um sometime this month. Um we uh discussed at our last meeting and um work is ongoing on um some Nisba

resolutions for the upcoming uh Nisba meeting that uh those are due into Nisba by July 18th. Um those get put into the agenda the resolutions alphabetically in order of submission. So we'll try to get those in uh in June. >> On Advocacy, if I may, one of the things that we received was a information from the Assistant Superintendent for Business about a recent um decision of the Appellate Division for the Department declaring that school districts may not use piggybacking for the awarding of public works contracts as opposed to contracts for supplies as their in turn that court's interpretation of section 103 of the General Municipal Law. I would suggest when you're considering resolutions and considering other advocacy since this ruling if it stands will cause great problems for school districts in trying to expeditiously and most cost-effectively issue public works contracts without competitive bidding in appropriate

circumstances where piggybacking is available that resolutions be considered to address that and hopefully what I understand is there may be a possibility if there's an appeal taken that that decision may stay pending an appeal but it really is going to be a problem for many districts including our zone. Ask for incorporated into the discussions of the advocates in any way needs something like that. >> Do we have additional meetings? We do. Not on the calendar as of yet. Send it on to request. I may turn to Assistant Superintendent of Business and Human Resources Department. >> Yes, I'm just reminding everyone that our audit meeting is scheduled it for >> night. the 29th at earlier, but I'll tell you >> Do you want me to tell you what time? >> That's Monday, May 29th. >> Monday, May 29th at >> 1:00. 1:00. >> 1:00. >> 1:00. >> And that's a firm firm on time now, right? Just want to make sure.

>> Mhm. >> It's I just want to confirm that that's a firm time because we wanted to also be sure to convey to our um our trustees elect just any community needs between now and then. >> Yes. How do they manage? >> It is for our meeting with our thinking and our audit. >> And the purpose of that meeting is to meet with the external auditor to start the process of planning for >> For the following >> for the external audit for the year that ends on the 30th. So, it kind of has to happen so that they can start their work. >> Yeah, absolutely. Just wanted to check because I it wasn't on the calendar that was provided. So, to that I just want to make sure that I add it as a confirmed meeting. Thank you. Yeah, thank you, DHD. Board development Board development is trying to potentially meet on Tuesday. We're just pending confirmation of availability. And then that meeting will be noticed. Part of our discussion is sort of to uh

firm up what we can manage in at this very busy time of year for wrapping up um things related to uh a discussion of the board's self-evaluation, which will be coming to you. We are trying to, you know, maintain a cadence because everyone has a lot on their plates right now. So, it hasn't come to you yet. It will be completed as it was last year through a digital form so that you don't have to hand write the stuff. And um and we will also be in touch um to see if we can figure out a way before the end of the month to reconvene for a um sort of closing retreat conversation as well. So, uh in advance we appreciate everyone's flexibility because it's such a busy busy time of year um to squeeze in things with something scheduled for basically every night right now for all of us. So, thank you for that. >> Do you want to offer any insight to the public in terms of what we're doing in for onboarding new trustees?

>> Sure, I'd be happy to take that. Yep. So, as part of our charge um for the board development uh committee, one of the um things that we have worked on I think for the last 2 years um uh very um actively has been to put together a uh document that expresses our current norms and protocols, meaning the norms and protocols of the people who are currently serving on the board. One of the things that we agreed upon as a board is that this is a live document, and so it's something that the board will be visit uh periodically in its current and or future iterations to make to ensure that the things that we are agreeing to are things that we all agree to, meaning whoever is present at this table at that time. Um and um we are are also ensuring that there's always an opportunity to reflect during the course of the year on what's working and what isn't working to ensure that everyone again buys into the

practices and feels that they can maintain them. Um to welcome our trustees elect um who will be joining us in about a month or so, um we have extended to them per policy that we revised on the policy committee this year um access to our board agendas, public meetings, um resources from the Westchester Putnam School Boards Association to help um first year trustees identify potential mentors, networking opportunities, professional development opportunities, mandated governance training for the benefit of the public. Every new trustee has to participate in a certain number of hours of governance training to understand the function of a board and get a basic introduction to um the regulations and rules that determine how we um can conduct ourselves [snorts] and how we act. In addition to that, there's also mandated financial oversight training, and um that is something that some people choose to do

in person, other people choose to do online, but it's an important part of the work of um beginning to serve as a trustee. Every new uh Every new trustee has 1 year to complete that work, but we I think collectively [clears throat] it is very important to do the governance training as soon as possible because that is something that it can be helpful to do on day one. Further to that, again for the benefit of the community to understand the commitment that we all have to ensuring that that our incoming colleagues and this is this is not a new practice this year by the way. It's been an ongoing practice for us is to ensure that that our new trustees have an opportunity to connect with each member of the school board through a rotating mentorship program. I want to just credit Sarah Carrier who is on our board development committee this year for that idea. I think it was a really smart idea to ensure that rather than connecting a

person with just one mentor for the whole year to be able to rotate through and have an opportunity to interact with and connect with each member of the board helps build relationships. So that I think is a very positive change that we added this year that we will be continuing with. So that's that's sort of like the rundown of the information that has been shared with the trustees elect and we'll be engaging as a board as this board exists right now in conversations with our new colleagues to help them feel welcome and I think also to be able to benefit from expertise and conversations with with any of us all of us who are currently serving and those of us who have served for a long time as well as our administrative team. Thank you very >> Communications? Um yep, so communications we scheduled our meeting from this past Monday and we'll be meeting on the 22nd at 5:00 p.m. to finalize and finish up the work that

we've been doing this year with regard to the website and also to look at At that point we'll have the RFP for [snorts] communications services back. We'll have the results back as well. That's what we're doing. >> Policy? >> [clears throat] >> Policy Committee will be meeting tomorrow at 12:30 p.m. in the district office. Um we will >> [clears throat] >> not be discussing policy um um educational goals because I think the thought was that since that is a discussion that is more wide and more comprehensive, I think it should and we all agree should involve the new board as it's constituted in July. Similarly, our discussions on policy 8636, artificial intelligence, we will not be continuing our discussions tomorrow because that is again something that has a lot of implications, a lot of moving parts, so it's felt that it would be better for that to be discussed by the Policy Committee and the board as

it's constituted next year. Um we will have other policies that we are hopeful to be [snorts] able to report for first reading on June 11th. Um >> [snorts] >> and how much we can get through and we will also be looking at our parking [clears throat] lot of policy we have not gotten through uh to see and what might be priorities for next year's Policy Committee and next year's board to consider uh as you know as they go forward. Um let me just ask, is this also the time for liaison reports and should we should we want to do that? >> That's next. >> Okay, so that's going to be the next time. >> [snorts] >> So, liaison reports and >> Okay, moving to the next item on the agenda. Um on 5/28, I attended >> [snorts] >> the district-wide safety team as the board liaison. We talked about changes in the school-wide safety plan to conform with and make sure that we are in compliance with Jessica's Law concerning AEDs and

fire training to students and parents of the and so our students and parents and staff of the district and age-appropriate for students. We also [snorts] talked about um emergency procedures that we would do uh screening place for before-school and after-school programs to make sure that we have emergency safety procedures known by those entities that have programs in the schools that are after hours and we actually had at least one representative of one of the programs there who talked about the um protocols and and practices that they have with regard to safety that is something that we are concerned about because that is something that the state has said we should incorporate into our district-wide safety plans which are public and our building safety plans which are confidential. So, that is the only thing on that. Uh I also will say that on um this morning, I attended my last meeting

of the year with the Student Faculty Congress. Um Student Faculty Congress spent the meeting in part at the beginning having snacks and things that people brought to celebrate the end of the year and then had a very um extensive discussion of student body congress priorities for next year including how the student body congress and the ex officio student trustees could be involved in providing more and not to say anything bad about Phil, but to provide more on kind of interchange and um you know and and kind of participation to bring student perspectives on issues that we are talking about as a board and or to bring issues to the board that students feel are good to consider and that's something that they're going to think about how to do that in a way that is constructive for students and constructive for the governance team. >> Yeah, if anything I think Phil has been a model, right? For that sort of

engagement. So >> Yeah, I know. I I just want to you know, what I think I will say to to you know, that there were certain concerns about reaching out to the student body to hear the concerns of the student body and then to think, all right, how can we present those to the governance team in a way that we can advocate and kind of you know, it's it's going to be new a new dynamic because there will be two student trustees and there will be I think an increase um emphasis on trying to um you know, trying to give more um input and guidance to how the student trustees will present student concerns to the board. >> [snorts] >> I wanted to before I say the amazing things I have to say about Veronica and Marco, say that I would like to have a conversation on a different level regarding creating a pathway between student faculty congress and board directly. Because I think that the proper protocol, the proper pathway for that is

for students to speak to building level leadership. >> And that was a lot of fun. >> Yeah. >> So I will I will take this off of the committee because we as a board have have a gift for you both. >> [snorts] >> So I want to thank you for your work here, for coming to every meeting, staying here late at night, sharing your journey to choosing a college with us, offering your insight into what was a very difficult like first time dive into um you know, a cell phone ban in a high school in your senior year, right? Like you literally are the last people who are experiencing that. Um or the last students who are experiencing that. And just your constant perspective we're so appreciative. We wish you the best. We hope that you come back and you tell us all about your experience. And we just want to thank you for volunteering your time and for being here with us and for always kind of being a sounding board in terms of what

we can when we needed the insight into like what is really happening and you were very forthcoming and honest and genuine about all of it. That's my perspective on knowing you since you're all of you. If anybody else wants to say anything, I'd like to want to give you a gift on behalf of the board. >> Thank you GUYS SO MUCH. >> [applause] [applause] >> YOU DON'T HAVE TO SAY ANYTHING. WE CAN SAY MORE THAN ANYTHING. >> I CAN'T SPEAK. >> OH, I'm sorry. >> No, yeah. Thank you guys so much. That was so like kind and unnecessary and amazing. Thank you. So, yeah. I'm very happy to have gotten this position, to have been able to provide the insight I can. And I think it's I'm honestly really grateful that the cell phone ban happened this year because I feel like that was a very like interesting pressing discussion like specifically for high school students. Like I think those were pretty much the

kids that were most impacted. So, like it was like I remember like like even at like the start of my position before I was coming to the meetings like Mr. Like it [snorts] was already on my email and he was like, "Hey, so you can send me all the all the documents and all the articles about it. He was like, "Just let us know what you think." And I was like, "All right." And yeah, so like I I was just very thankful to like feel like my insight was actually like appreciated and like my time here like is appreciated and I love coming here and I love providing everything I can. It's been a great like fantastic learning experience and developmental for sure. So, thank you all for allowing me to be here. >> you for sharing with us your student voice because it is something that we value I think as a district and as a board. And we wouldn't have that like every day at the meeting and every meeting,

you know, we wouldn't have that perspective being here. So, thank you. >> I have one other I have one other thing to follow up on. Yesterday, I had the opportunity with a couple of other trustees to observe the visit of alumni to the high school to meet with high school juniors in small groups to talk about their experience in um their of search, in their college in their college experience, how what they did in high school did or did not help them in college, how it helped them in careers, and it was really inspiring and it spoke back to something that when um this kid said, "Don't be a stranger." Talking to you, when they have that session next year or the year after, I hope you'll be able to come because it really was inspiring to me to see not only the students being very attentive and very interested in what alumni were saying about those those very um significant parts of their lives going

forward, but also to see how the alumni um spoke very openly about their searching, their trepidations going into college, and their their how they adjusted to not being within the cocoon, if you will, of, you know, this school and this school district, um and how that led them to um where they've gone in life or helped them see that, you know, they may have had a different path. So, I I think it was really a wonderful um program from our guidance department at the high school, and something that I know they want to do in coming years, and I hope it continues for years. >> So, I Do you want to add something, Sarah? I didn't even ask you. Sure. Yeah. So, I'll thank Sarah for being here. Um yeah, so just to follow up on the uh the alumni event, um like as as Neil said, uh thanks to the guidance department, and particularly uh Zo and Nadine for really spearheading um putting together that uh the event.

It was It was a really incredible event to be able to hear from so many different students and a range of students who are still in college, students who have graduated and are in careers, students who went straight into careers. So, it was a really great breadth of of hearing from different students and I don't know what they were able to take from Croton and and help provide some of that information, some of that knowledge, and and also help I think give a sense of uh I don't know a sense to to our juniors that, you know, they don't have to know exactly what they want and exactly what they be and what they want to be and what they want to do or where they want to go even. You know, that that those are decisions that, you know, can can shift and change and that that's okay and great and and just part of growing up. So, I think it was really a really great event. Um in terms of a couple other things for

um liaison reports, and we did have our last health and safety um committee meeting for the year. Um we went through the capital construction updates and possible summer projects. Um the punch list of work that's going on in the buildings. We did also discuss about the additional eight uh AEDs added um and some dot matrix film added at uh each of the schools. Um the next annual fire inspection will be in August, which makes it a particularly, I think, um troublesome time for for the buildings um in order to get, you know, there's a lot going on, a lot of construction and things finishing up in the buildings, but you know, our our facilities crew is amazing and so they will be ready for that. Um and the uh health and safety committee membership uh will be before the board at the reorganization meeting. So, once that's approved, they will have their new committee for the the following year and uh go from there. And

then lastly, I just want to say that we also had um while I wasn't able to attend, uh booster club had the senior athletic awards at the beginning of the week, um but I heard was a really wonderful event. So, kudos to the boosters for putting that on and just uh last plug that the uh boosters will also be having their annual um fundraising uh golf outing on Monday. So, anyone who would like to attend, there's lots of information on the Wooster site and on the athletics social media. >> Thanks. I don't know what I like in fact to do with any of that. Probably a lot of things to do. Um but I do want to just add on to the alumni panel. I want to I know that you know, obviously Miss Feeney was involved and spurred that I do want to because I remember I remember when this was the grandchild of Miss Feeney and Dr. Dubach. Um so, I do want to just offer a thanks to them for you know, maintaining these

relationships, understanding the the the value in having different people from different perspectives come and speak to students and just the reassurance that students have after having been at that panel or experienced that panel in that there are different pathways to points in terms of education. So, I do want to also just thank Dr. Dubach and and Miss Feeney for being involved in the in the the fruition of that coming to life. Um and it it didn't was originally planned for the winter and it was, you know, snowed out. So, um I'm so grateful that as the spring semester comes to an end, we have alumni that are willing to come back and speak to our our high school [snorts] students. >> I will just add on that because it was you know, like we I so I said to one of the teachers that I talked to after that event was like there's certain things that you go into the building and you sort of like have goosebumps because

it's like it was so great. So, this turning is one of those events. Just for the context just so that the community sort of understands what this was. So, it wasn't just one panel. It was actually a it was like a two-hour session where the junior class was invited to attend six different they were assigned to six different panel like rooms with with specific panels in each room. Each room had approximately like three to two two to three alumni and what was really interesting is that they ranged going back as far as the class of 2006. So this is somebody who graduated 20 years ago, had like a has a good job, a career, has gone through all their education and people as new as having graduated last year. So it was really really a wide range and it also included people who had had different paths to college and beyond, gap years, community college transfers and I think for the for the members of the junior class two

two or three biggest takeaways that they had were the following. First was a sense of relief, which I think for students at that at this time in their in their high school lives, it felt good to them because they were able to see these are some people that we knew and they made it through and they did fine and they all seem to be fine. And so I think that that they had that feeling of reassurance. I think another thing that they pointed out, which I have shared with our counseling team is they they said "It'd be really cool if we could actually go to this as sophomores because it would help us think very differently about what we should be focusing on during junior year." And I thought that was really valuable feedback as well. The students themselves actually moderated the junior class members of the junior class moderated the panels. There were really robust questions that really led you to

understand that all students are really taking this question of like what's next very seriously and the the variety of answers I think like literally every person in that room felt like there was somebody who was speaking to them, which again I think is something that we've really tried to work on in terms of creating a community here where people see people see different avenues to sort of get to the next thing. So for for them I think it was a very um it was a very very positive opportunity and it has been mentioned that one thing that that high school might be considering is now that we're having this event in the spring to even think about a way that this this conversation can take place with the juniors and possibly the sophomores and then also to add a component perhaps in the evening so that parents and families can also come and attend. I think that for me I felt very lucky to be a parent who was

also a board trustee to be able to be in that room, but I know for a lot of students they also said, "I wish my mom could have been here to hear some of this stuff or I wish no parent could have been in this with my family." So, those are some things I think to think about as we expand them. And and it's always great to be starting in a place that is just fantastic and and to already have even the students and the people who are running the program think about where it could go next felt felt like a a good thing. My little my little uh liaison report is just a reminder to everyone that SHS Program and Education Foundation uh will be uh hosting its big end of the season fundraiser uh fundraiser on Saturday, June 20th. Croton Royale is going to be at the Grand. It's a casino night and it sounds like it's going to be um swanky and fun. So, if you're interested in helping SHS do its excellent work of supporting innovation

in our schools through all three buildings, please go to their website and consider uh participating in this um fun um adult-focused event. >> We'll be there. >> [laughter] >> We'll see you there. >> I want to ask I do. This isn't typically something that we include in board reports, but I do just want to take a moment and acknowledge um the fact that the kindergarten lottery went off. Uh I'm sorry, UPK lottery went off um and that it has closed and I want to just thank um Assistant Superintendent for Pupil Personnel Services, Bridget Collins, and everyone involved in doing that. Um it was a long time coming and it came and it went and now we will have uh you know hopefully an incoming class of fourth graders for UPK. So, thank you for that. What is >> That's a fourth >> And the fourth >> Hopefully >> The fourth four-year-old four-year-old Yes, four-year-old. >> Say I mean they need they >> I know somebody's going to write about

this on the internet. Incoming four-year-old UPK lottery acceptance. Thank you so much for the attention on all of that. We will now go into business. >> [snorts] >> 2.1 The results of the budget vote and school board election. Recommended action, the result of the board of education hereby accepts the results of the May 19th, 2026 school budget vote and the school board election as presented. >> So moved. >> Second. >> On the question. >> Can I just Can I just commend our district clerk >> [applause] >> for all of her responsibilities. It's a big undertaking and she did a fabulous job. >> This community has no idea what Denise does. >> [laughter] >> They they don't. I mean, aside from having to read, uh, you know, Disney characters into, uh, writing classes, she she answers text messages at all sorts of times of the day. Um, thank you. Uh, all in favor? >> Aye. >> Opposed? Abstain? Motion carried.

Item 2.2. Recommended action, the result of the board of education of the Croton-Harmon Union Free School District hereby nominates Cheryl Brady for a 2-year term as New York State School Boards Association Area 10 Director effective January 1st, 2027 and authorizes the district clerk to execute any documents consistent with this motion. >> So moved. >> Second. >> On the question. All in favor? >> Aye. >> Opposed? Motion carries. Item 2.3, regulated action. The result of the Board of Education of the Coral Harbour School District hereby grants and part and denies in part the appeal of student number 24280-SF-4 its decision dated June 4th, 2026, which decision is approved hearing and directs the school I'm sorry, directs the district court to issue said decision to the student's parents and the superintendent of schools. >> So moved. >> Second. >> On the question? All in favor? >> Aye. >> Opposed? Abstain?

Motion carries. Item 2.4, the ad hoc committee on technology. This is a discussion. >> Should I kick it off the Board of Education? Sure. Okay. So, just as a reminder to our to our colleagues on the board, the public, and the administrative team, during our work session on technology three weeks back, uh the board determined at that time that that it felt that we as a collective felt that it was important for us to continue to engage more specifically on the topic of technology across the board as as it's being used in our schools. Um it's obviously like that's a very broad topic, right? And that's sort of where we landed at the end of a very long and productive um work session. So, our goal today with this discussion point is to talk about in a little bit more detail what we were thinking, what we might be looking for. For context, and I may rely a little bit on Neil if he's willing um to help uh to help sort of shape this

conversation. Um I want to sort of put it in the context of policy because policy actually does determine um a little bit of like what kind of committee we might want to have and and how we could sort of execute this. I sort of like do you feel like you're comfortable with me passing it over to you for that because I know you um reported on this extensively to the board separately. >> Sure. The Board has the authority under policy 2250 to establish committees, including ad hoc committees of the board and of board members to deal with particular issues. And in years past probably like 10 years ago, the board established 2 years ago [snorts] an ad hoc committee on travel to talk about travel policies and before we drew the board and for the changes in some policy based on that ad hoc committee's report. The policy 2260 provides that the board may establish a community advisory committee, which [snorts] can consist of

um those who meet community um who the board desires to have on the committee, um which may include representatives of representative residents of the district to meet with the board to provide advice and reaction on important matters before the board, which may have special significance to the community. The board may each community advisory committee shall be appointed and discharged by official board resolution, and [snorts] the resolutions will set forth the scope of the committee, and uh that policy provides for um what criteria should be used for the board to consider and and who it will appoint, as does the regulation that goes along with that policy. So really, the first question I think for the board to discuss is should we have a board committee consisting of three or fewer board members cuz it cannot a quorum, um um to work on this issue or are we considering a community advisory

committee, and if so, then the board would just would adopt a resolution to you know, to to establish that and set its charge. >> And so, for further context on that, just because that we have a menu of options [clears throat] before we start talking about this. >> Can I ask you a question? Let's understand this. >> Sure. Sure. >> Yeah. Yeah. Before we look at the menu, are we trying to get a whole menu first? >> No, I I have a question about that. Yeah. Yeah. So, I just wanted to just be 100% clear. So, the community advisory committee would only consist of community members, or can it be a combination of board members along with community members? >> I see no reason under the policy that it could not include some board members as well as community members. And I think for context for the for the committee to understand the role of the committee, the role of the board, and the interrelationship

between board and district in the establishment of policies, protocols, it probably would be better to have um a board member or two board members in addition to those who are appointed as representative [snorts] community members. >> And if I may add, representatives from the district. Right. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. So, just just to flesh out the full menu of options. So, as it was articulated, an ad hoc committee of just board trustees, a community advisory committee, which would contain uh you know, various um representatives as you know, as outlined. Um third thing just that we should have for context, of course, the district has as well this year community committee that is focused with a committee that we are called that has been called the district committee on technology, but for this for this year, the scope has been um has been has shifted a little bit, honestly. There was a new focus at the beginning of the

year on AI and that ended up being AI policy and those discussions have I think been shaped by other topics and urgencies to it's shifted. So, it has a very very broad scope. That work just again for the benefit of this board as we all know, that is comprised of district administrators, teachers, community members, and Board of Education members as well. >> And students. >> And students. Right. And students. So, that's an important reminder because that also drives the timing and participation of those meetings because we are trying to make sure that it's possible to represent people within our educational system. So, that's that's what the that's that's option three. >> Option four. >> Let's just talk about all of them is part of the reason that this that the question of a committee came to the table was because as a board we'd identified during that work session that there was an urgency that we felt in

terms of being able to discuss this topic with regularity. So, another option to put out there if we if we determine that that we don't for example let's say we determine that we wanted it to be a committee of the board, but we didn't want to exclude, you know, four of our colleagues and we actually wanted it to be something that we were discussing together. We could also figure out a way to to enact some of those discussions through our public board meetings. Any board committee meeting doesn't is a public meeting, right? So, whether we're doing it here live-streamed or in a different room not live-streamed, that's really my opinion right here. It's a question of sort of like what we're thinking of. So, two two other like pieces of background that we need to have. Of course, we want to make sure that as we're formulating this that we're we're making sure that we are working collaboratively with the

district on our shared aims of reaching consensus on what we want to be talking about, what we want to be centering, and how we're going to then work together to sort of implement policies and operations to be able to bring, you know, whatever that is to life. So, this is just a starting point for discussion to to surface some of these things. The other piece of it in addition to that, of course, is um is just sort of like capacity and time, and so we'll also get to that later. This board, as we know, we already have five committees with seven people, right? So, um many of us are doing two or three board committees as well as our liaison work as well as external obligations, you know, regionally and elsewhere, and it also becomes a question of sort of like what we can all manage together and still uh move things forward. So, with that as background, I guess if that does come to Oh, sorry,

the last thing is depending on what type of committee we we decide to enact, the charge will need to be very specific. There will need to be a finite uh period of time as as our policy entails, so it's not like something that goes on forever. And it it is going to be something that is going to have to have like a specific purpose, because our policy does require us to determine a discrete purpose and discrete timeline if we choose one or two of these other options. Do Do you feel like um you feel like that covers the background and stuff? >> Yeah. I I I think that in other words, background, and one thing I'll add is the discussion that you described in option four is not is really something that can occur if you if option one or option two or option three is selected. >> Absolutely. >> Because anything that the committee reports, if it's a committee advisory committee or an ad hoc committee, reports to the

board, then is funneled either through a general discussion of that committee's report or a policy that that committee suggests as the policy committee suggests to the board for consideration. So, you know, it's sort of like to give an analogy, boards are required by law to establish audit committees. Audit committees can be a committee of the board, as we do. Can be a committee of the board and other representatives selected by the board to be on that audit committee. Or can be a committee of the whole, which is the last of those options. Thinking about how the work will be done and how the time pressures are there for everything else that the board does and has on its plate, you know, that kind of that kind of I think will will inform what um what path uh the board desires to take, as well as the fact that there are many people in the community who have expertise and interests in some issues

uh involving technology and not many issues. And one of the reasons for community advisory committees is for the board to get advice and counsel or ideas from the community in a more formal structure than simply receiving um information at a hearing of the public or receiving communications um by email or letters or whatever. So, in thinking about the structure, I just put that all out for you and I think that's consistent with what our policy is. >> a clarifying point to the last minute Neil said, which is it's important to to remember is that if we if we do determine to go in the community advisory committee direction, that committee would be would be reporting not just to the board, but to the board and the district as well. So, it's it would be responsive and uh communicating results jointly to us. >> See, before we go on there Yeah, but the only thing there is something about that, which is simply because some of

the things that that community advisory committee might surface as things to consider would be in the bailiwick of the board, establishment and policy and might or might be in value with the administration and administration can take that feedback and do that or implement things as they feel is best obviously. Once again, with the board providing its oversight role and ability to through policy and through budget have an effect on what the district what the district may be doing or what the district may be going in that direction. >> I'm just going to start with some concerns that I have. So the first is obviously the overlap with the district existing committee. That's my first concern. My second concern is the selection process in terms of who would be how like how would we select community members because I know that there are so many very dedicated passionate people in our community that are on this year. My

third concern with any of these advisory committees that are board committees is that there is no real opportunity for hearing of the public. Right? So like once you create this microcosm, they're closed meetings where obviously the public can attend but there's no real pathway for dialogue with the community. So I just kind of wonder like what the body of work is and how it's done. >> Question on that. Could that why couldn't we just have a committee is actually just established that there would be public input? >> Right. Well, you can always get public input but you wouldn't have a hearing of the public in a public meeting. I mean, you could you could >> You could meet. >> We like certainly We ran into this with We ran into this with advocacy, right? Where we were like, oh we'll have these like public discussions with like different stakeholders regarding this and then it became problematic because people come

to you with requests and it's not the board that you're coming to, you're coming to a sub committee of three people. The district is not always present and then it leads to frustration. Right? Like it's it's it's the structure of it that deviates from that deviates from having hearing at the public at the whole board. >> But I sort of get that but I wonder if I mean and I don't want to interrupt what you were about to say. I sort of get that but I wonder if there wouldn't be a way. I think that there that might be something that we could sort of build structures around and I think it's important to sort of say this because I think you're right. It's a fair point. We haven't practiced We haven't practiced in that way before and we don't have sort of like an existing mechanism 100% for for for determining and and this this of course, you know, it's like you're talking about getting this set up and getting it rolling and

trying to have it do work immediately. These are all really important questions to be asked so 100% agree with you on that. >> And again, I'm just surfacing it. I'm not I'm just like these are some of my concerns as we're brainstorming around having these committees that you know, there's there are overlap with. These are some of the things that I'm just thinking about. Like we want to take this on, we want to prioritize this work but like we have to do it in a very thoughtful way because you don't want to be in the middle of it and realize >> Sure. >> the structure of it actually doesn't serve the purpose and then have to backtrack. >> Okay. So and I think in one way that you could you know, I'm thinking back to like the the school lunch committee was was a is an example of a of a community advisory committee that that that was convened and that prepared and presented like regular updates to the board. So at a

board meeting there was the ability for a committee and it wasn't necessarily the board members of that committee like reporting out at the liaison. It was a presentation of that committee presenting to the board and to administration on on the work that they had been ongoing with that committee. So that might be something that provides that that It's feedback loop or or that that discussion moved to to come into a board meeting and having the work of a committee be done, right? And having that dedicated time for a committee and and community members on that committee to to put things together and then also have that brought back for to the board to to report out, right? >> So, I don't want to diminish anyone's service who sat on that committee. That was incredible amounts of work and I know that there was a lot of thought put into the surveys, right? But that to me embodies the disconnect between having

one of these committees and what actually happens. Like we were going to go to the lowest bidder. There was a lot of time spent presenting results on whether or not we wanted to have organic food. That was never going to happen. That's the disconnect that happens sometimes. So, I would not want anyone to take their time and kind of and because that leads to disappointment, right? Like when you offer those options and then it's never based in reality, right? Like there were no providers as I recall at the time that would even actually offer those options. So, like that disconnect is my concern because we've been there before and then it's then we end up disappointing our community. >> Right. Well, I mean I think and those some of those things like evolved over the time of like right that this was there were there were some of those discussions that happened on before we had kitchens and the ability to be going

out to to providers to get, right? A that would be going out there and then bidding. It was things that were being brought in. So, there there was that time of lag between. So, there was there was like a a shift in the program. >> Just that's not the way I remember it, but we can agree to disagree. >> Wait, do you want to >> No, no. >> Um I I hear what you're saying about that. I've managed task force at my my college on very contentious issues and there always is that challenge of like how you how do you define the scope, um how do you keep the people focused on what the scope is and what you can reasonably and not reasonably accomplish in it. Um I think there's ways to manage that. I think there's I don't know if there's a possibility and and we did listening sessions with [clears throat] members of the community like open hours like we do have meet the BOE and I think just trying to be transparent and clear

on what our process is and what the scope is and what we can and can't do helps alleviate some of that. And like you can't please everybody in this, but I don't think as hard as that can be it should get in the way from collecting as much data as we can from different viewpoints in the community. To me I am on the district technology committee, so I feel like comfortable saying that my experience has been in terms of what that scope of that work thus far has been and where I see possible gaps could be. Um I I do think there's it's an important to have some sort of community advisory committee or some mechanism for that. I think there's been so much that's been happening in the community. There's a lot of like different opinions about this and for us to hear directly as a board and of course along with administration I think is is important. I think you know again I think it's a really good point like how do we choose

who's on the committee and who's not. I think trying to be transparent on what our like what the criteria were or like how we're going about that would be important, but then also again having these other moments like a town hall or other listening sessions. So if somebody can't make that kind of commitment like on a regular go case you know because of work or other commitments that are out there they're not chosen they still have a clear moment where they can engage in the process. So I think this is all solvable. It takes work and planning like said it's a lot of work and planning. I I do like the idea of us being able as a board to talk about this regularly in public all of us because again it is very fast moving topic and I think many of us are very interested in in this. That being said I think it might make sense to this is very complicated and kind of going all over the place with stuff but for the

you know in order for efficiencies it might make sense to initially have some district committee. Sorry some some board committee of the board on this topic to help just organize and spearhead and get this moving along from the infrastructure. And my impression is we can always stop you know and shift gears once that that's you know accomplished. So I do think it makes sense to commit a significant amount of time and effort in this area in the year ahead if if we're able to because it impacts so much what's happening in the district. It really is like a found like the lifeblood of a lot of what's going on. To me I I feel like I would like to better Well you know I'll be quiet now cuz I have some other things like thoughts on on things some things I'd like to hear like delve into that maybe I should just be quiet and let somebody else talk a little bit and just give their opinion. >> Can I just can I just piggyback on what

you're saying? So while I have concerns about that I love what you're saying about having listening sessions. So I think that there would actually even be benefit to convening a subcommittee of the board that was literally engaging with the public and hearing what their concerns are and then reporting back to the board in way and then after hearing those concerns maybe whittling down to what like the actual action item might be after and like a whole board discussion but the listening sessions I think would be you know beneficial to everyone certainly who are interested in in doing that. That is kind of like what I was saying about the challenge of it is you can be in these committees and then you don't ever hear from the public. Or how do you choose, you know, certain people in the public and then you only hear from those voices. But like hearing having listening sessions from the community would be something

that I think that would be beneficial to the board. We could then in turn, you know, have conversations with the district regarding like what we've been approached with. That's my >> I think that you know, although Allison said you jumped all over the place, she really wasn't jumping all over the place. I was just >> Well, thank you. >> I I think I think I think a combination of what you said and and what you said um really makes sense for how the board and it will not be until after July probably because you know, it's going to be new board members who you might um you know, will probably be on the board who will be involved. Um will do that. And there can be a lot of different structures. You know, sometimes with some of the committees and in the ad hoc committees that I served on over the years athletics and some other areas, we did provide the opportunity for that committee to hear from members of the

public. We've had that more >> Can I just interrupt you? How did you do that? >> Oh, we just told people when we meet and then they come and talk to us. >> Just like we do meet the meet the BOE. >> Yeah, and that was Yeah, that's what we did. This was many years ago when we were dealing with certain issues in the athletic structure of the athletic program and we heard from parents, coaches >> [snorts] >> So then I'm just curious, why was the advocacy committee not allowed to do that? >> The advocacy committee not allowed to do that? >> Like last year. >> So I think what what I think that it there's a difference in that like if someone is coming to a community advisory committee to like to to speak to the committee on things, right? There There isn't that disconnect in thinking. They're coming to the board with a request, right? When you're you're you're coming to like a subset of the board that would then have to report out

on that to make recommendations. So, I think that is the the slight difference in that like the board committees, right? We're doing like subcommittee work for the board and and bring that bring those recommendations back to the board. So, I think that might have been the disconnect in that. >> You don't think that's a nuance the public wouldn't pick up on? Like if they're talking to members of the board, they think they're talking to the board. They think the rest of the board is going to hear that. >> But But if you're coming to a community advisory committee, you're not just coming and talking to members of the board, right? You're coming to a presumably a larger group than just three members of the board. >> But I think the way >> It's a community advisory committee that's established by the board of education. So, you're speaking The The assumption is that you're speaking to the board.

>> But you're not speaking to the board. >> But But I >> I know. And And this is something that you have to make clear. Um for example, if as this board has done in years past, um the board has hired outside consultants to look at an issue and give a report to the board and to the district, which led to decisions, whether they were policy decisions or budgetary decisions. And so, that consultant did the work of doing the research and presenting something to the governance team for the governance team to consider. A community advisory committee, to my mind, is similar in structure in a way, except it is using the expertise and um the um interest of members of the community to reflect something that the board is concerned about. Um that does not but but the ultimate decision on whatever is going to be see recommended by that committee is up to the board. The committee makes a report to the board. The board considers

that report and decides what actions the board wants to take or you know, for what actions the district administration wants to take on what that committee has reported. Same way as with the consultant, but that does not preclude in any manner that committee from getting input from members of the community who are not on the committee by town halls, listening sessions, have surveys, whatever you want to do or what that group does to you to gather information. But the since the decision maker is the people who sit this table or these tables, that is who the who that commentary in the end would be directed to as we decide or the board decides what it is going to do with that report. I will say also with regard to even some committees like policy committee, in the years past we have had um listening sessions. We have provided an opportunity on certain policies publicly noticed to come and anybody

come and speak about a particular policy for or against and use that to change the draft. That's one way of doing it. >> It's not every policy. >> Not every policy. Things where it was felt that community input to help guide the policy committee to make a recommendation to the board was would be useful. Now, all of that being said, it will be up to the board to develop the scope, to develop a membership, you know, how people will be selected. One concern is you don't want to have so large a committee that is unwieldy. And you don't want to have too small a committee that you don't have the requisite um expertise and different uh different viewpoints that may be important to the natural area of an uh difficult planning process to manage, and you know, but and the end of board could actually say to the committee, in in the doing your work to give a report to us, we charge the committee with having

um providing opportunities to members of the public to provide their feedback input at various points in time. You can put that in the charge if you want. You know, that's what you're saying to the community advisory committee. It's you know, it's the board's committee um that the board can establish whatever whatever criteria they want on both the selection and and the members. So, that would take care of some of the concern um I think that you have raised. Um and you knowing that whatever is the result of that process will be brought to the board, the board will discuss, and may discuss at you know, during the process if as an update said, having you know, updates from time to time as has that been done. And then, you know, if it's it's you know, it's kind of a wide open thing for to figure out what works best. >> Um I think so just to say it I like the community advisory committee idea. I think it's important that we

have um various voices and viewpoints as part of that committee. Um and it it seems like that is the structure that probably, in my mind, like gets kind of the most participation and most viewpoints in the mix. Um and I think just the clar- I think from the very beginning clarity will be key as to like what is the charge, right? As we're talking about what's the timeline, what is the structure. Um and you know, the selection process, all the stuff that we've been talking about. Um I I do think we can structure it so there's like robust input provided. And then in my mind, it's like I think it's like three phases. It's like we're we plan like pretty carefully, and that might take a little while, right? Like plan the scope, what does it look like. And then we do a lot of listening and debating, right? And learning and reading, etc. And then I think the last piece on the sort of like, okay, then what

happens now? Because I think many of us have been part of I mean, I've been part of like teams where I'm just like, so what comes out of this thing? Like, will something happen, right? And I think we need to be very clear maybe not at the outset cuz we might not even know like what's going to be the result, but um we need to have some idea that there will be a result and as part of the process, I think it it'll be important for us to be clear as like, all right, this is where we're moving. This is looks like where we're moving, whether it's, you know, board policy or district practice or whatever the administrative practice. Um because I think that's sometime where confusion happens, right? Where people are like, well, we're talking, but then where is this going? So I think we need to be really clear to the public on on that question, like whether it's whatever it is, right? Whatever it is

where we're headed through the conversation. >> Um okay. I'd like to build on at some point. Do you mind if I pop back to something I said before before you build on that? Is that okay? >> [clears throat] >> Just just so that we I think because this is helping us sort of like recognize what are the points that have been above board and that we all have agreed on and I think you have also. So I think I'm sort of actually like in agreement with the the way that I think the way that I think you sort of articulated this as as they just articulated it as a multi-step process. What could be interesting actually is the idea of perhaps initially forming an ad hoc committee of just us to sort of like nail this stuff down. And it would have to be an ad hoc committee that's committed to working fast. Like but you know, what else are we doing in January? Nothing. So we could do that. Or July. I don't know. We will you know,

we'll have to determine sort of like what the right time is for that. But that could be that could be a way to sort of help establish that and answer all the questions that have been raised here before we inflict it on anyone else in the community. And I think that's important. I think what you know, if we're asking people to join, we we do as they said is like we need to have a clear sense of like where it's going or where where do you think it's going so that people understand what they're signing sort of up for. And then I think also the timeline and scope. So it does seem like a multi-tiered kind of process works. Just going back to Anna's point though about sort of like the like the the getting the information and the listening. I think one of the things that that we've all expressed has been pretty challenging is that when folks come to talk to us in hearing of the public because of the way that we the

way that that that that type of community engagement structured, we're often hearing things that we're not able to react to because that's our practice right now. And I think also to be able to even when people are coming and participating in that, you know, we're in a listening capacity and they're coming in a speaking capacity to be able to engage and ask follow-up questions and sort of again, we know from our own work together that we do better when we're talking to each other rather than just like downloading information and processing it ourselves, right? So I think to be able to sort of have that back and forth in those forums as we have done again, you know, I do I know we've we've done a little bit on policy also is just to sort of like have that input and and give ourselves the flexibility to say, yes, sometimes it's going to work, sometimes, you know, it it's not. It's going to require, as

Allison said before, somebody who is um a strong facilitator or possibly even like a team of strong facilitators because the task forces, yeah, but that can get like gnarly sometimes. I think it's true. >> I just want to feed back on what Norma was saying there. I I would suggest to to add to what you were saying that you can't determine the scope of something or parameters of something until you identify exactly what that something is. And that something can only be identified through having to Allison's point, those listening sessions. So, I would suggest that you have a series of listening sessions and then whoever's on the committee's board members determines what the scope going forward is based on but I think that that is the front end of that because you can't determine what it is that you're looking at until you determine what it is that you're even considering, I think. >> Um yes to everything that's been said.

Just want to add a little bit more to particularly the idea of the formation stage. To me, it's really important for people to have a common for us as a board, but also [clears throat] then that would be conveyed to the community to have a common understanding of of some of the the current like practices and the way things are organized. Um from my observations, I some of the the questions that were things that I feel like we keep circling around is understanding what is curriculum and what what is technology as it relates to curriculum versus like business operations. So, like and who if, you know, when we talk about is technology curriculum, is it not? Like how are we slicing and dicing that? Um to understand the district's perspective on that, you know, and and who within the organization structure is at the table like making those decisions in the room. So, for us to understand like how this is happening right now, I

think would help us have some of the background to to move forward with this. Because otherwise, if like if I don't fully understand what's the difference between the curriculum versus the technology, like I feel like what we come up with might be like just not making any sense, you know, to to the So, having a better understanding about like what what how that's translated here would be helpful. I don't Does that make sense? >> Yeah. >> It does. >> I I think what you're really saying is to define the scope of the issue and limitations of what that advisory group is going to be looking at. You have to know some of that up front and I think you were accurately said that there's some part of things that we as board members kind of don't really have a handle on, but that will help give an identification or give the board the ability to develop the charge of the committee and to think about who can

best move that committee forward get information and and provide a report, what resources outside of the members may be necessary. I know I'm sure the technology district technology committee you are providing resources for your own learning as I have been on committees that I've I've been serving on and that's all things that will help you know, and develop that scope and and then having the advisory committee really have a charge that is meaningful and meaningful both to the board and to the administration because the administration will be receiving feedback, input, and things for you consider on the other side. And as you said, or somebody said, there is a difference between curriculum and operations. So, technology >> [clears throat] >> brought to operations, and use of AI in, you know, in the business office context is something that is important, but not in the same way as it's as the instructional and

>> It's just different. >> And so, having that scope >> Yeah. >> um ascertained probably that listening session and listening sessions from that board subcommittee that may be uh appointed to kind of help the board establish a charter sounds like a good idea to me, but um but it's not listening so much on substance [snorts] as much as okay, well, let's help define the scope, and then the advisory committee is going to deal more in, you know, deeper dive into the substance. >> No, it's the opposite. You're hearing from the public regarding the substance. >> Well, right, so that you can define what it is that you're going to be working on from >> And and I think just in terms of that I'm hearing correctly, I think it it makes sense, right? So, the creation of a of a short-term ad hoc board committee that would determine what that what that broader um community uh community advisory committee would look like, but I think

one of the important things that that will need to be entertained in fact aside from the board's listening sessions is also understanding how that committee would be different from the district convened technology committee, right? Because if there's an extreme overlap there, you're that that doesn't work. So, I think that needs to be understood um cuz right now there is that that district convened committee that that is expected to continue its work into the next year. And so, if that's something that the board is then going to to take and and move into under its purview then then that needs to be understood for people as well. >> I mean I think so far that hasn't I I think so far we I think so far we >> Or at least what that overlap would be cuz it to have two two somewhat similar committees with with there with there being a great deal overlap might constrain >> Yeah I I yeah I I would like

I think that that would definitely be like a driving you know factors to ensure that there is that there is separation of the work and then also again I mean I think it's fair to say that like the the the inquiry inquiries coming out of the board are not what is driving the work of the district committee and we have determined amongst ourselves that we have a lot of inquiries and so I think again to be able to do that in a way that doesn't step on anyone else's work and also doesn't like limit our pool of people because obviously you know it's like yes we're going to need to rely on having some administration be part of that conversation and also the elected trustees. But I think it's really important that you brought that up. >> I just want to add that. Until we have those listening sessions we really don't know if there's an overlap or there isn't any overlap and what's there I to your point like I do think

those initial listening sessions are very important to then regroup and decide whether or not there is an overlap. Maybe there is maybe there isn't and at that point move forward and determine the scope of what the concerns are or the work that we're doing. >> Um Yeah definitely and um I guess like I've done a lot of work with design thinking so this is kind of like the process you need you know speak to multiple stakeholders you got to like secondary primary research and then from that you figure out um specifically like what is the problem you're trying to address right and then you work with people. Um the other thing I would like to just uh briefly comment on is um you know the like the point that Nomalanga brought up like what are the expectations of dialogue and community between the board members and the and the community like I think part an important part of this process might, you know, like just as

the board we have our own norms and protocols, like you can as a on a committee or a group create some sort of norms or, you know, lay things out in advance so people have a sense, like a shared understanding of what's going to be happening in that moment. So, um that would probably And I think it's the kind of thing that it can it can feel kind of like stiff or like, why are we doing this? But, I think it actually creates transparency so that everybody kind of had realistic expectations about what the moment is about. And it builds trust. So, it can feel kind of like Okay, so where do we think we've landed based off of this? If I can try to summarize what I have heard, um I think it would And And this is not like a resolution or motion, so it is just sort of like a thumbs up, thumbs down, thumbs sideways. Sorry, thumbs up, sideways, thumbs down. Thumbs sideways meaning you're not sure yet. Our conversation, um

to keep to keep momentum going, we don't want to save the the resolution to start this for our organizational meeting in July, um would we feel comfortable bringing to the table for everyone who's here today, would we feel comfortable bringing to the table to next week's meeting a resolution to institute an ad hoc board committee to answer the questions that have been surfaced by this collective, um and then sort of to set the groundwork for then determining what the what the next stages would be. Does that feel like a comfortable starting point for people? Just again, we have to get the resolution and you have to resolve. And then I again, for the benefit of the public, appointments to committees are we we have like an internal process for that where we express interest and we are actually appointed to those committees uh by the board president. That's our practice and our protocol right now. So, thumbs up,

thumbs down. Well, I would actually >> suggest something else. I would suggest that we um convene an advisory committee to engage in three listening sessions from the community and then to regroup and determine the rest of that. So, like I think it's too big of a chunk to take on to say like we're going to convene and then we're going to address the concerns. Like how are you getting the concerns? Like I think >> I think the idea, sorry, just to just to clarify that that that board ad hoc committee would be We can't spend I mean we can't We could, but we I don't think we want to spend every one of these meetings with all seven of us sort of like determining what the next step is. So, the idea of this ad hoc committee would actually be to even establish the parameters for like what is that What is What do those listening tours look like since we have actually determined that we like that idea as a

as a group. Um just setting up like How's that going to look? Where's it going to be? You know, like what like is What are the norms going to be, etc. >> The listening sessions, yes. >> Yeah. >> Um I would just echo that what I found helpful in the listening sessions is to go in and like have like have heard, you know, yes, you can go and just sit and say like I'm here with you to say, and you know, that's one's one way and that that can be helpful in its own right. Um but another way to say in um is to kind of have like an agenda or set of guiding questions and then also have a time for like open discussion for, you know, whatever anybody wants to bring up. So, and that requires prework, you know, so so it might be helpful to have that listening session part of the ad hoc committee's work just from a practicality standpoint, but um >> That's what I was going to say and I was thinking the ad hoc committee would

would have those initial listening sessions that would help it determine what the scope for the community advisory committee would be. >> Right. So, part of the ad hoc committee's work would be that and like sort of figure out what what those listening sessions are. >> Just trying to get to procedurally, what do we start with? Are we starting with an ad hoc committee? >> Yeah, that was my understanding. >> So, that's I mean that's all we're trying to establish is if we can get that on the table. >> An ad hoc committee of listening sessions, yeah. >> Yeah, well, there would an ad hoc committee to uh make a recommendation to the board of a scope and issues that should be delegated for further work by a community advisory committee. They will utilize that. >> Well, yeah, and >> Yeah, that that's just kind of the description of what he saw and that the ad hoc committee would gather information

from variety of sources, including listening sessions, however they are going to be done. >> I don't I don't agree with you. I don't think it needs to be a variety of sessions. I think it needs to be an ad hoc committee formed to engage in listening sessions with the community to then inform the board regarding a community advisory committee's scope. That's it. It needs to be that simple because I I've been on the board for 5 years. We've tried to take on like it needs We need to prioritize exactly what we're doing and it needs to be a small scope. It needs to be informed by the community's perspective on this and move forward with respect to like And if if if it if we're determining I'm going to be at a later time that there is like a broader scope, then that's additional work that needs to happen, but it's too much. >> Yeah, I I was just thinking about the fact that >> We've literally formed committees to

take on one policy and not been able to accomplish that. >> But but but but if I can if I can continue um I was thinking that that and that task that ad hoc committee, which I'm in agreement with, is going to make a recommendation. They will listen, have listening sessions with the community, but they also want to consider You or may not, that's to be up to the board consider other inputs as to what that committee recommends be the scope of the community advisory committee. For example, um uh one of the things I think that Allison mentioned was not really having a clear understanding of the uh what's technology, what's curriculum. Is that something that we would want to charge the ad hoc committee to get a little handle on so that the ad hoc committee can present um you know, the charge for the community advisory committee or is that something that would await the work of the community advisory committee? I don't

know. Could be one way or the other, but and the we can decide that. I think it's important, whatever we do, to have a resolution preferably on um the June 11th agenda. However, knowing that there's going to be a change in the composition of the board, um and you just you know, you may feel let's talk about it in July, but I I leave that to my colleagues to decide timing of that and also whether my suggestion makes sense or doesn't make sense. >> [clears throat] >> Just a point of clarification, um like I automatically hear what you're saying about not overreaching and and like making it like It's not overreaching. >> It's not overreaching. >> It's taking on too much. >> Yeah, exactly. >> That's a better word for it. Taking on too much. If if the scope is say like the seri- like three listening sessions, does that if we write up charge that way, it that prevent the ad hoc committee from doing some of

this background work to vet to to prepare themselves for those listening sessions? Like does it have to be How how how much flexibility does one have once one has its charge? Like if we say that we're just doing this through the meeting, can we never do anything any real preparation like background work on it? >> I mean I need to Personally, I would argue that I I guess like we have to determine this, but I would argue that the charge should have gets a little bit more flexibility than just limiting ourselves to those listening sessions only because I don't want to go through this again to like do the next thing. And I don't again either, so it's like if we give ourselves a little bit of latitude, we can actually we can agree because we've agreed here and again in this configuration clearly that will change or it could change. May also it may not change. We don't know, but we know that we we prioritize the idea of

listening that there's a clearly consensus on prioritizing the idea of listening. So let's say that we're not going to step away from that. Let's say that that's what we're going to do and give ourselves like a little bit of latitude if there's like another, you know, tangential thing that comes up. We don't have to reconstitute a separate ad hoc committee because unfortunately these policies are written to like direct how we do this and that's why we're talking about it in this way is because we have to. Right? So I think I I would argue for give ourselves a little bit of flexibility, get the resolution out for next week. It doesn't have to get filled next week, but the resolution's taken care of, we can fill it as soon as we're ready to initiate the next term. >> Yeah, I mean it's support of that because I I mean I think the the main issue is like not getting too lost in holding off. >> Yes, exactly. Exactly, which I think we

have we've expressed that well, right? Here. Do you feel like this Do you feel like this Do you feel like this >> just don't understand where where the having the listening sessions first is like limiting in some way. I I'm I was coming from a place of wanting to hear what the community concern is and then understanding how it could be addressed. So when you when you start saying like we're going to determine the scope and like the actions and all of this like before you understand what the problem is, I don't understand how you do that. >> I don't think we can determine the scope or the actions. I think the idea is just to constitute a committee. >> Right, but that's not what was discussed in the beginning. It was like to do the work and so forth. >> I think we can evolve. >> Okay. >> I think it's evolved to to actually where where you landed, which is the idea of focusing on the list of committees that I went Allison

brought as an as a like an addendum to that is also not limiting our scope so that we have to re-scope to be able to continue the work if stuff comes up. >> And you're obviously going in as like committee members to, you know, hear what the community says and do your own research because we do that as trustees, right? Like we >> That's what I was going to say. >> The the charges can't limit us because unfortunately when the like the charge is the charge, that's all. >> Yeah, I don't know that we'd be limited to not to independently research or to not have conversations with other board members and to not consult with the district on things. I [snorts] don't I don't know that that was ever discussed. >> I guess for me as a newer board member, I'm still trying to navigate like what is within scope for me to reaching out to district versus going to the board office, you know, the things in that. So

just trying to think about how to design in a way that's that um is most efficient. >> Yeah. >> You know, that's all. >> And the in the the the the limitation in access to the district is not uh gatekeeping. It's more to um obviously not bombard you with all of our questions at different times and to prioritize our concerns when you know, the charge at different times of the year we have different functions where it applies. >> So to help with this particular conversation, possibly you get a thumbs up for constituting an ad hoc committee and perhaps a smaller group of us will work on the resolution and we'll adjust. Well, I think great. So that's six six yes. Thank you. All right, perfect. Now it's going to be number two to to move our agenda on. >> Vote. >> Under 2.5, uh a discussion on the ad hoc committee on hiring, retention, and tenure. >> All right. So, for this here, we've done a lot of talking about this. We don't

have to do that all over again. >> You could say ditto. Actually, we could. >> So, just I think the context on [clears throat] this is is sort of like the following. We have had discussions collectively as a board on hiring practices, the importance uh philosophically that we have to ensuring that there are pathways for staff to seek careers and potential for career growth within the district, as well as uh the additional question of um understanding what the tenure cycle looks like, and making sure that there's transparency to our public and to our community about that process as well, because I think it's a place where the community has had questions recently, right? So, here, I'm not necessarily going to propose four different ideas here, because I think as a board we have sort of talked about what we thought last when we discussed this our starting point could be was specifically ad hoc

board committee to determine what are the what are the key topics that we want to talk about. >> The idea of that would be that that ad hoc board committee would invite district um leadership to be part of the conversation, and that would be then determined, of course, by the superintendent and the rest of the administrative team, so that that um that body comes together to sort of um surface the questions, and really determine um what the work needs to be in terms of looking at policy, looking at practices, policy being of the board, practices being of the administration, where those intersect, and then once that work is sort of underway, determining a cadence for communication, and ultimately um some sort of clarity to the community so that people know. Often the board gives clarity to the community through policy, right? And often the district gives clarity to the community through it, you

know, information about processes or practices through the website and other venues. So, we know how some of this stuff would work, but that's sort of like the the picture. If other folks have ideas, this would be a great time. But, you know, we can try to be a little bit briefer since I think we did a kind of really good discussion before this meeting. >> I am in complete agreement with that and I don't know if I should state this, but I would like the board to proceed and I think the charge of that ad hoc committee should be developed in a way that um identifies all the issues that from the board's perspective, both in terms of policy and in terms of understanding practices and um cadences, I guess you use that word, that may not be informal policy that um can be discussed and you know, and that's a that's a shorter term, I think, um work than what we've been talking about previously, but I think that's something

that makes sense. >> So, what I'm hearing is you want to create an ad hoc committee to understand the hiring, retention, and tenure process. >> No. No. No. No. No. No. Go ahead. >> Uh no, I don't think that that's what we were talking I I don't think that that is what came out of like um our previous discussions. I think it was actually not not to understand it, but to um I want to say document it, but to I don't know what the right verb is to use here. Um to engage in discussions between the board and the district so that we achieve a joint understanding of what aspects of this process should be enshrined in policy, what elements of this process should be delegated to the district for the district to carry out with, you know, board input {slash} uh you know, governance oversight or just simply communication to to say this is what's happening. We're informing you. Like what like what to sort of like

explore what that would look like. And then after that sort of conversation part of it, determine what lands in policy, what lands in practices. So, it's not to understand, it's to sort of it's to sort of to discuss where things are now, surface what's working and what's not working and where those gaps are to determine again where the district may have some work to do in terms of articulating practices or refining them and what the board may have to do in terms of policy in the same way, articulating policy and refining it. So, that we're sort of mutually respecting each other's roles in in the enterprise of hiring, retention, and tenure. And so, that we're also supporting each other by having clarity of what lives with whom and how again those intersect. Does that make sense? If that that's not going to fit into a scope, so I think the scope is going to have to be like one sentence. But, the

charge is going to have to be one sentence. But, that that would be that would be sort of a starting point. And I think because we were talking about this Steve and also, you know, John and the rest of the admin team as something that that invites engagement, it would be very helpful to hear from you all if you also feel that there are areas in terms of policy where things are lacking or if you feel that over the last few months there are places where where there's the opportunity for clarity or you know, further discussion on your part that that you want us to sort of share as we try to determine how to move forward on this. Does that make sense as a question? >> Yeah, we've talked before as a team about the value in coming to a shared vision around, for example, succession planning and and what that could look like, should look like. Where it's your point where that lives, is it operational, is it policy, is it

somewhere else? Uh and so, and and related conversations around what role should community feedback play in 10 considerations? And those are philosophical conversation, value conversation. So, I think there's a great value in bringing together a group to look at that. Obviously, as we're talking about practices and protocols related to these things, then different perhaps than technology. It has implications around like the marketing, there are legal implications to these things and and legal guardrails. So, you know, those are different considerations than the technology committee, but I think probably to the point that was made earlier, a clearer endpoint here at this moment than than on the technology end. Yes, I I mean, to answer the question in a long-winded way, yes, I think there there's value in bringing together a group to to look at to surface the what are the questions that we need to wrestle with and then

how do we go about wrestling with them? >> Right. And I think it's very important that you surface those points about about those sort of like legal agreements and restrictions because I think again, for us as trustees, we don't always have visibility and as trustees, we don't have an understanding of some of those requirements. So, it's really it isn't a conversation that that that board committee can have by itself. And again, the goal is to develop a shared understanding and to sort of articulate our shared values because I think our values are shared, but I think by articulating them, one of the things that we accomplish is also making it really clear to our community that we're coming from a place where there is that understanding so that when decisions are brought to the board or when recommendations are brought to the board, everyone understands how we sort of got there. And then we feel also

confidence in a decision that the district is making as well as confidence in the district that the board is making. So, yeah, it's not going to be like years of work because we actually want to be able to implement this so that we can start acting on it. And I think again, it will if I can use this opportunity for a comfortable as a segue to like the the other quick brief discussion point that we don't necessarily have to have this tonight, but I think it is important and I think we would we would be informed by this particular configuration of trustees to also sort of think about in terms of our committee work over the last few years. If we feel that there are places where, you know, it's like some of this work seems like it could be more beneficial to the whole. I think for folks who have served on these committees, I personally would love to hear if people have thoughts about, you know what, this hasn't felt like it's

been driving our work and maybe it's something that we can that we can consider setting aside. Thinking of the fact that we have five board committees on money and that, you know, an ad hoc committee that's going to be three people. Left who have to have to talk to them. >> I have suggested in the past that it's there's also the other part where in part of what this item is on the agenda now really um kind of does deal with is thinking about the committee structure as a whole and whether there are other committees, audit is one that is required, but other than that, other committees that might be appropriate um for um meeting the needs of the board, whether it's a facilities committee or a personnel committee or a finance committee or you know, how did audit take on finance as well beyond audit itself. So, that the board can operate more effectively and so now is probably a time to think about

>> Well, so I would add to this >> However you want to do it. >> because that list that list of potential I don't mean curriculum committee, that's what I was talking about too. Because that list of ideas is long, I was wondering if we could start with the like before we think about more new, think about >> Yeah. >> again for the the seven of us who've been doing this now for a little bit, um to think about what are the things that we feel like maybe >> Well, subtraction before addition. >> we add. >> Yeah. >> So, I don't know if you have thoughts. >> Um I think that's a good idea for us to consider the balance of things so we're not spread too thin. Um perhaps this is something unless people have a lot of thoughts about it right now is to hold off until our like part of our full reflection at the end so we have a little bit more time to think about it given the fact that we just talked about launching

We can bring it to the end if it feels okay to then do we feel like Do we need to determine whether Do we need to do a thumbs up thumbs down on the ad hoc committee hiring potential? Do we feel like we in our conversation that position is pretty clear that that's the resolution to bring next week? >> Do you think that? >> Yeah, okay. >> Okay, great. So then we can prepare those two resolutions to present to you, Anna, and and bring that discussion about what might go away to maybe even to polling or something if we have time for that next week so they can have a little bit more time to think about it and and reflect on it. >> And if you're convinced at the meeting, is that something that you'll bring for that that will be on the board development agenda to put those those uh resolutions down? >> We should We should Yes, we can bring that to you. So that would be the ideal. I mean this is one of like the 37 things

we have to do. >> Right, right. >> Yeah, but yes, that's that's that would be the the place where we can put together the board development. Yeah, thank you. That's it for us. >> Thank you for that discussion. Moving into item 3.1 Instructional personnel recommendation. Here is a resolution for the Board of Education on the recommendation of the Superintendent of Schools hereby appoint Jennifer Hill as a 1.0 FTE mathematics teacher in the mathematics content area at the William Allen High School at a salary of $91,744 in A7. Ms. Hill is appointed to a four-year probationary term as a mathematics teacher commencing on August 26, 2026 and probationary term ending on August 25th, 2030 in the tenure area, math labs. Ms. Hill has initial certification in mathematics, 7th through 12th. >> So moved. >> Second. >> On the question? All in favor? >> Aye. Aye. >> Opposed? Abstain? Motion carries. Moving into donations, item 4.1,

recommended action, the result of the Board of Education gratefully accepts the donation from Debbie and Ed Broderick in the amount of $2,000, two scholarships of $1,000 each for the Broderick Family Award at Colonie Central High School. >> So moved. >> I'm all set. To be given to two graduating seniors that have contributed to the community, performed community service, or volunteered as a tutor, or at civic organizations, attending college, vocational program, or training. >> I will move it. >> Second. On the question? All in favor? >> Aye. Aye. >> Opposed? Abstain? Motion carries. Item 4.2, recommended action, the result of the Board of Education gratefully accepts the donation from the Carrie E. Tompkins Elementary School PTA in the amount of $25,000 as a contribution towards playground equipment at Forest Park Elementary. >> So moved. >> Second. >> On the question? >> I think perhaps

I don't know if if if it would be appropriate to ask our assistant superintendent for provisions to kind of give a little description if you can about what's going on with the school 2 playground and how this contribution, this donation, generous donation will help. >> Okay. So, on the agenda this evening, we have we have the award for which is the uh uh equipment supplier that we've used and in creating the supplemental area of the playground. We're not replacing anything. We're adding additional equipment. Uh when we received the pricing, it was in excess of what our capital project could afford. So, I carried that with PTA and they offered to donate uh the proceeds from the uh book fair to supplement the playground cost. So, uh they donated an [clears throat] additional $25,000 for that. >> So, thank you. And which which means that uh you know, as I know many members of the CP community and Dr.

will be able to provide additional age-appropriate playground equipment for use of our older elementary students, which is great. >> Yes, it's it's going to be it's going to be a a lovely space. Of course, everything because of its location, everything there is for 5 and above. So, we have to be we have to stay within that range, but uh it's a little bit more challenging than some of the equipment that we have now. >> Can I just ask going back to what happened in this in the fall, were upgrades made to the new pieces that were considered because at some point whatever they were determined to be >> No. >> smaller or whatever there was there was discussion regarding those pieces being able to be uh modified in some way that would make them more appropriate. >> Right. Um so, as you know, received very, very opinions of the playground. Some felt that it was too challenging, some felt it wasn't challenging enough.

So, at that point, we felt we had some additional funds from the capital project so that we would provide additional an additional space with additional equipment. So, we did not make modifications to that. >> Thank you, Commissioner. >> Sure. >> Thank you. >> Um and I just wanted to report now since we're in this um compendium. So, as Neil indicated, there was a ruling by the Appellate Division kind of banning the use of piggybacking and uh cooperative contracts. So, another pathway other than >> cooperative contracts for >> for capital capital projects or public works, correct. So, in addition to the pathway of the appeal to that, there are two um there's a bill both houses approved that uh is recommending that that be uh extended for a year. So, we have two pathways there. It will probably miss both uh for the additional work that we're doing, uh but at least there's a there's an opportunity out there.

>> So, unless the governor gets that bill and signs it very quickly, we will be delayed in have in doing the work that would have otherwise been awarded through our piggybacking public works bidding. >> We've already um we've already pivoted with regard to the HVAC work. We issued the bid and we opened it shortly. But uh the work at CET on the lighting, uh which we were going to go to Musco. We did our Spencer Field lighting through the cooperative contract. Now, it looks as though we're going to have to bid that out. And then there are timelines, bidding requirements as far as how soon we can make the announcement, how long we have to wait, etc. So, that is going to be delayed up a little bit. However, since we have been working with with Musco and their electrical provider, we're on the books as far as they are concerned. So, we're hoping that we can turn this around hopefully. >> On the air? Hi.

>> Hi. Hi. >> Proposed. I've seen. Motion carries. I have 4.3. Recommended action is to resolve to award an educational grant accepted a donation from the Pierre Van Cortlandt Middle School PTA in the amount of $6,000 as a contribution to offset the cost of celebratory events. So moved. >> Second. >> On the question. All in favor. >> I just want to say we love celebratory events. >> I can just add just as a trustee and member of the PV CPTA that this is a the PV CPTA annually provides tremendous support for end of year events including the 8th grade both dance, various picnics, yearbook signing events, and special occasions, special elements to make everyone feel like the end of the school year at PVC is really good money for and you know, the the the motto a few years back of the PV CPTA was we fund the fun and >> We do. >> a wonderful job of doing that through a variety of things. And also a variety of

things that were sort of student centered and as a reminder, they did have a student initiated dance this year which I can't speak to how how they contributed to as a fundraiser, but I know it was a really amazing event that did contribute to the conference here, and that was the luncheon, so uh there's a nice sensitivity to creating and creating opportunities to help make the end of the year so special for everybody. >> All in favor? >> I. I. I. >> Opposed? Abstain? >> Motion carries. Item 4.4, donation from SHEF. Recommended action, be it resolved the Board of Education gratefully accepts the donation from the Pearl River Education Foundation in the amount of $10,000 to fund the purchase of VEX robots for the Principles of Engineering course at Pearl River Harmon High School. >> So moved. >> Second. >> On the question? >> Is there anything that we want to add? I know you all had a excellent meeting

with SHEF about this. >> Yes, so uh Dr. Juback and I had the opportunity to meet with the SHEF board uh probably a month ago to talk through not only this specific grant, but just broadly how we want the process uh to work going forward. Uh and I want to thank Ricky and Karen and the entire team for uh their collaborative and really tremendous support of innovation in our district uh for many, many years, but one of the things that's come out of that is that we're going to shift the way that we uh think about the grant process now and actually have these in-person uh conversations, presentations from the faculty so that the uh the grant uh decision-makers at SHEF have an opportunity to engage directly with the faculty to see some of the uh uh the potential of these uh various funding opportunities. So I think everyone left really excited about the next steps in terms of our relationship with SHEF. Uh so we thank them not only

for that conversation, but also for their support of this on behalf of our community uh students who were participating uh in the engineering course and the project we did with the high school. >> I don't want to speak for Allison, but I know that before you I was also part of the allocations committee at SHEF, um and to to collaborate on that process and to have the opportunity to actually see where the money is going to go was is a wonderful opportunity. I just have a question because I know the amount requested was $21,598, and the grant is approved for $10,000. So, do you mean last week you might learn that now $11,598. Um is that coming from the district? >> Uh we're going to have some conversations about where that can come from from the district budget as well as we need to make any modifications to how the implementation of that looks like from a classroom perspective. We can look at that, too.

>> I'll just chime in and say that I think that one of the great things about this process has been that you know, as a as a board and as a community we've been talking about the importance of our community partners and these organizations that do all this fundraising. So, it's really wonderful to see this go to sort of like the next level in terms of um including teachers directly in sort of the engagement with our potential donors and having that conversation happen in a way that really allows them to see the benefit of the work and the contribution that they're making and the type of real impact it could have in the school district. So, I would add just my thanks as well as liaison to Shack this year for for for them coming in and for you all in the district to also taking the time to sit down with them for I think what was a very productive conversation that's now moving us into a great direction for future

collaborations. So, thanks to everybody for that. All in favor? >> Aye. >> Opposed? Abstained? Motion carries. So, I just want to thank Deb and Ed Bradick. I want to thank the SETC PTA, the PVSC PTA, and the Shack Foundation for their very generous contributions and their support of our students and for collaborating with the district and and with the board and in bringing some of these things to fruition. Thank you very very much. Moving into item 5.1, which is the consent agenda. Recommended action is all the Board of Education hereby approves all items on the consent agenda. >> [clears throat] >> So moved. >> Second. >> On the question. All in favor. >> Aye. >> Opposed. Abstained. Motion carried. Moving into the closing of the meeting, item 6.1 is polling of the board. >> I thought we did that before. >> We did take a poll for the board at the end of the meeting. We did delve into that, but it's still on the agenda. So I

totally accept that anyone has anything to add, and now is your time. If no one has anything, we'll move into item 6.2, which is the adjournment of the meeting. Recommended action is the Board of Education hereby adjourns the meeting at 9:58 p.m. >> So moved. >> Second. On the question. All in favor. >> Aye. >> Opposed. Abstained. Motion carried. The next meeting of the Board of Education will be our final scheduled business meeting, which will be on Thursday, June 11th at 7:00 p.m. here in the library at CHS.