05 Board of Education Meeting, September 30, 2025

Category: School Board

Tags: auditcommunityeducationsafetysports

Entities: Dave AustinGuilderland Central School DistrictGuilderland Public LibraryJill TysonMatthew BrunerParth SerretchaRachel MorminoRyan RankaWestern Company

Transcript

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Good evening and welcome to the Guilderland Central School District's Board of Education meeting. Today is September 30th.

Can everyone please silence their cell phones or hopefully they don't have them and stand for the pledge? I pledge allegiance to the flag of the

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United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. >> Okay.

Um, so welcome everyone. We have a

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robust crowd this evening. If we could start with public comment, uh we'd like to start with Rachel Mormino.

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>> Evening. I'm here to let the school board and the community know about an incident that happened to my child.

I may need to run over the three minutes allotted to me. My neighbor is next in line to speak and will finish my prepared remarks should I run over.

On the third day of school,

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Lynwood lost my four-year-old kindergartener for about an hour. My husband discovered he was missing when he failed to get off at the bus stop in front of our home.

During that next hour, no one was able to locate him. We discovered that there were multiple

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flaws in the dismissal procedure which directly led to them losing him. Number one, his teacher did not hand him off to an adult on the bus.

She pointed him in the right direction and could not confirm if he boarded the correct bus. Number two, our bus driver did not have

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a list of children who boarded that day or if he did, he must not have taken attendance. Number three, when the call went out on the radio to all the bus drivers to check for our son, they were unable to locate him.

Despite multiple attempts,

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some of those buses did not answer that call at all. Number four, when the school discovered that what bus he was on by checking cameras for dismissal and told the driver to pull over and find him, it was reported back that he was not on that bus and no child met that

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description. We know this because my husband was left in the Lynwood vestibule area when he rushed to the school upon discovering my son was missing.

While standing there waiting, he was given limited updates. However, he could overhear everything

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going on. When it was reported by the bus driver our son was not on the bus, my husband called 911.

He was then told the school already did notify law enforcement. It was later found out that he was indeed on that bus and the driver did

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not visually check. That is clear because he was given an accurate description of our son and what he was wearing.

It is possible, he asked, is Brody on this bus? However, my son is a shy kid who would not likely say, "I'm here if the bus driver just yelled out

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his name." Our son was eventually discovered at a daycare program about 5 miles away from our home. We live near Gate Farm.

He was found on Schoolhouse Road out near Stson Plaza. So, he not only had successfully boarded the wrong bus, but he then got

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off at a random stop without anybody noticing. Number seven.

How did we eventually find our son? When a staff member at Lynwood called every stop on the bus route and finally discovered he was at the last stop.

The daycare had accepted that

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child off of the bus who was not a part of their program. When we retrieved our son, he was sitting with an unknown program director at the daycare and a police officer since my husband in the school called 911.

I'm here tonight because the school failed my child. As a teacher myself in

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an elementary school, I know the procedures we have in place to keep our children safe. There are multiple checks and balances to make sure students get on the correct bus.

The driver has a complete list of students who board that day, procedures for searching the bus, and extra caution, particularly for

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kindergarteners, to make sure they get off at the correct stop. We did receive an apology from both the principal and the superintendent with promises of change.

The school informed us they are going to start a checklist. I gave several other suggestions such as tags for kids with bus number and first name,

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personnel at every bus checking kids off, more staff present at dismissal, etc. However, I was informed of the main priority being that checklist.

This concerns me because that is only one safeguard being stressed at this school. The multiple failures of the district

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could have resulted in a terrible tragedy. Our son could have gotten off at any stop and attempted to cross one of the many busy roads.

A stranger could have picked him up. We're grateful that he was found at that daycare rather than with a stranger who may have prayed on him.

I would like to see all of our

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elementary schools implement procedures that will ensure this does not happen to any other child in their care. Thank you.

>> Thank you. >> You want to do it now?

So, normally we don't comment in public

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comment, but I want to let you know that we have taken steps to address the concerns that you have to streamline and ensure that our procedures are consistent across our elementary dismissals. Um, we are reabeling our buses with numbers and symbols to help make it easier for our younger students

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to identify what bus they should be getting on. We will be working on procedures for provide a label or tag with their name and what bus run they should be on to help as a visual check.

Uh we have retrained staff both in building and on the buses as well as to the procedures that should take place as

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well as at transportation center to ensure when a radio call goes out that we do in fact everyone shuts down until that child is found. And if your bus is identified as the bus that the child is on, you need to find a safe place to stop and ensure that they are on the bus.

We call the bus specifically when

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we know the child got on that specific bus. So those are some of the procedures.

So, I just wanted to follow up and we were very fortunate on that day that it ended well. Your child was found safe unfortunately with strangers.

Um, and I will we did fail you on that

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day and we do take that very seriously and are aimed to move forward so it doesn't happen again. >> Thank you.

Um, before we move on to the next public comment, I'm sorry I forgot to read the little blurb here. The board of

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education encourages public participation at its meetings and recognizes its responsibility to hear public comment and acknowledgement of the public comment either orally or in writing will be provided as appropriate after the meeting. As a matter of practice, the board of education does not typically engage in dialogue during

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the public comment period. There will be two opportunities at each regular board meeting for public comments to be heard.

Although the board of education welcomes comments about programs offered by the district and other aspects of the district's operation, the board expressly prohibits public comment that would infringe on a particular person's

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or students privacy rights, would be disruptive of the board meeting or create some safety issue. Persons who desire to speak to the board about specific issues relating to employees or other confidential matters should request an executive session in a letter to me.

um briefly outlining the issues

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to be discussed and granting such requests will be at the discretion of the board. Okay.

And with that, can we please have um Miss Ritter? >> I am passing.

I was here to support my neighbor and I don't need to say anything. So, thank you.

>> Okay. Well, thank you for supporting our

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community member. Um Matthew Grenard.

Did I say that? >> Matthew.

Thank you. >> Okay.

Yeah. Uh, good evening folks.

My name is Matthew Bruner. I'm one of the trustees over at the Guilden Public

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Library. I'm here today to invite you, the Board of Education, to join us in exploring how we can build avenues of communication and collaboration between our organizations so that we can better support our residents in their utilization of our services and our executives in accomplishing our

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organizational missions. The library board has discussed this collaborative exploration in our own sessions and I have the blessing of my board to make this offer to you tonight.

I'm excited to share that I've broached this same discussion with the town and have received their interest in turn. I'd like two members of each board and the

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board's respective executives to participate in our initial discussions which I'm hoping to schedule in the coming months. Community is built intentionally and I'm looking forward to continuing that work together.

I've left my contact information with the clerk and I eagerly await your response. Thank you for your time tonight.

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>> Thank you very much. Um, now Oh, goodness.

Oh, David Dwire. Yes.

Okay.

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Sorry. Sorry everybody.

Um, my name is David Dwire. Um I'm one of the bus drivers for the CTE out to Skahairi.

And um for the senior year, the kids have a course that's called English integration. sounds like an English

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class, but in reality it's actually a um they actually teach them how to get a job, resumes, interviews, how to do proposals, um so much stuff that they even they even discuss um talking about um

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negotiating a wage. And I'll be frank, I I think the CTE kids are more prepared for real life than um my own daughter who's a senior.

And I think it should be a right of all the

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seniors to get some uh basically that sort of class even if it's for a couple of weeks or you know some night classes or something so that um they when they

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graduate they can you know get be successful getting a job. we can give them all the college education or they can just fail out.

But without those skills, um they won't get out of their parents' basement.

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>> Thank you. Um and now, Coach Sykes, I don't know if this thing comes down at all, but I'll go up on my tippy toes.

Um good evening everyone. And I want to

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start out by saying I'm a proud employee of Guilderland. As a teacher and coach, I've been fortunate to work for not one but two amazing athletic directors in my career and Rean Johnson and Dave Austin.

I'm so honored to lead the Lady Dutch field hockey program. Several of the

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family's players and our youth players came to support uh me and speaking tonight and I've been leading the program for nine seasons. um through rebuilding championships, co time, all the things that were quite challenging to where we won back-to-back section

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titles in 2023 and 2024. Last night, my team showed the heart of a line defeating a talented Suburban Council rival in double overtime.

And I'm excited about what they can do this season. But why I'm here is because last week I sent an email to the district

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office team and the board of education and I'm asking that you please consider looking into the equity and paid assistance at the varsity level for the district. The facts are the field hockey program has never had a paid varsity assistance since its integration in

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2002. Sports that are field-based include girls and boys soccer, girl girls and boys lacrosse and flag football.

They all have paid assistants. I'm getting older.

The job's not getting easier for me physically. Field hockey is four

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major lines of positions that include offense, midfield, defenders, and goalkeepers. Our goalies alone need coaching and feedback constantly to keep them safe.

As the only paid and hired coach by the district at the varsity level, I'm stretched pretty thin. I often worry about liability.

How can I

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supervise a turf full of athletes while providing 24 athletes? I coach the feedback, support, demonstration, and coaching that I feel they deserve.

I know budgets are tight. We're not asking for more.

We're just asking for equity.

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Equity across what I'm asked to do, one of 24 where everybody else of equal positions or less, they're having two coaches for their 24 athletes. So, if this could be maybe a conversation that the board of ed and the district office

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team have, um, we would greatly appreciate it and we appreciate all the support. We've never felt not supported.

I just think, you know, we have a diversity, equity, and inclusion team. I don't think it's ever really taken the look at athletics, and I think it's a

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hard cell for me to say, "Hey, I do the job of two people. I'll keep doing it." but a little support would be really awesome.

So, thank you for listening and taking the time. >> Coach Sykes, before you leave, I do have a question.

I feel like this is not the first time I'm hearing this from you. I

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feel like I've heard it in the past. So, um when approximately is the first time that you brought it to the attention of the board.

>> I mean, I I've always kind of brought it to the attention, we've talked about it in the athletic department. I know I talked to you individually maybe two years ago.

I put the request in every

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year. Um, I just know that it, you know, the money's tight, but >> Thank you.

And I think Mr. Austin, we did speak about it publicly.

At one point we were discussing the budget, the the notion of assistant coaches in general. >> Yeah.

I mean, there's nine suburban

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council teams that have field hockey. Seven have paid assistants.

Gilderland and Niskuna do not. So, that's just a little facts with >> Yeah.

>> Okay. >> Thank you.

>> Thank you. >> Thank you.

>> Okay. Um and then Amanda

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is it um what is it? Amanda C.

Amanda Sentinel. Am I saying it wrong?

Maybe. Was it >> Oh, it should be Amanda.

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>> Amanda C. Maybe it's an email.

Hold on. Well, can you look and see if it's an email for Amanda C?

>> Yep, that's the one that we just got. >> Okay.

So, I'm going to do that one last because I like to do the in persons.

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Avery Rston, are you here? Great.

Okay. >> Does this move?

>> I think you can pull it.

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>> Let's see. Hold that.

>> Pull the actual microphone down. You can pull that.

There you go. >> Thank you.

>> Good evening. My name is Ava Rston and I'm a freshman on the JV field hockey team.

I'm one of the captains and on behalf of our team, we are asking the board to consider adding a paid assistant coach for varsity. The

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Guilderland School District and the entire field hockey program are incredibly lucky to have some of the best team of coaches on and off the field. They teach the values of teamwork, self-discipline, and determination.

They challenge us, believe in us, and are not only shaping us as field hockey players, but as also as individuals. But they are spread

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thin, and coach Sykes needs help. She has 24 players on her team.

As a school board, I know you want the best for every student, and you want to prepare them for life beyond high school with the tools and resources they need to succeed. You have many student athletes that dream of playing their sport in college, and some who are relying on

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those athletic scholarships to even make it possible for them to attend. The Goodland field hockey program under the leadership of coach Sykes has helped so many athletes get to that next level.

But she needs another coach to assist her. If the school pays for an assistant coach for many other varsity sports, we

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want our team to have that support as well. It would benefit our whole program and allow coach Sykes to continue doing all that she does with every grade level.

It would also allow us to stay competitive. All but one of the schools we play against is a paid assistant giving their teams additional guidance and instruction.

We are so proud to be a

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part of the field hockey family and we hope you will consider our request. Thank you.

>> Thank you. Uh Alice Cavion now.

>> Hi, I'm Alice. Um I'm a senior on the

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varsity field hockey team and I've been on the team for three years. Um, everything's pretty much been said that we wanted to get across, but I also wanted to bring up another point that um, I know you talked about the budget being kind of a thing in our paid assistant, but I just wanted to bring up that um, the girls flag football team is

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a very new team and they already have a paid assistant coach. Um, so I think it's only fair that we get the same equity because we've been trying this for many years and a new team that just came in has already gotten it right off the bat.

So I just think that's something to consider. Thank you.

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>> True. Thank you.

Um, Lydia Santa Barbara. >> Hi, I'm Lydia Santa Barbara.

Um, I'm a junior and I have been on the varsity field hockey team for three years.

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Again, I agree with everything that's been said. And I'd also like to say that we have been a very successful team for the past three years I've been on here and we've are the reigning champs for two years.

and the fact that we don't have a pay to coach for all the hard

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work we have been putting in. Same as coach the countless hours she puts in not to just varsity but to our youth program and helping out with JV and modified.

Her time is spread thin and she's doing the best she can but everyone wants her time but everyone cannot get her time.

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>> Thank you Marissa Bibbo. Um, hi, I'm Marissa.

I'm a junior on the varsity field hockey team. This is my first year.

Um, to kind of finish it all

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up, everything that they just said, but we have a 24 to1 ratio, and when we're doing multiple drills for all of our different positions, it's really hard for coach Sykes just to be in five areas at one time, and it just be really nice to get someone to be on the sideline with her to help us out. Thank you.

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>> Thank you. Okay, I think um the last comment regarding field hockey is an email, so I'm just going to read that real quick.

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Okay, to whom who may concern, my name is Amanda K um Sentinel and I am the parent of a modified field hockey player at Gilderland. I'm writing tonight because our program deserves the same benefits as the other sports programs at Gilderland.

We need a paid assistant

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coach just like the soccer, lacrosse, and flag football programs. My daughter, um, Safi just started at the modified level this year, but has been playing youth field hockey for Coach Sykes for the past three years.

She absolutely loves playing for Coach Sykes. Coach Sykes is a whirlwind of energy, but

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would be able to do so much more for the field hockey program with a paid assistant coach. Leading 100 plus youth players each week in drills, skills, and tournaments is too much for one person to handle alone.

Our coach of the year and two-time section 2 championship coach shouldn't have to beg for a paid

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assistant coach to further support this incredible program. The small change would benefit dozens of young scholar athletes for years to come.

I sincerely hope that you will consider this change. Thank you for your support of Lady Dutchfield hockey.

Most sincerely, Amanda K. Sentinel.

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Okay. Um, so thank you to everyone that came out.

We definitely hear you loud and clear. Um, I I've had a child that played field hockey, so I uh understand your concerns firsthand and the board will uh get back to you as we discuss

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things. Okay.

Thank you very much. I also um don't feel like you need to stay.

You're welcome to if you'd like to. I do have more public comments to read, but I wanted to give you the opportunity in case you have to go to the college fair or have homework >> or bed.

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>> Thank you. >> Okay.

And this is how much >> Now we're going to go to bear with me. I lost track.

Claire uh Dew supposed to be here

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tonight cuz I guess something she was going to talk about. >> Did I miss one?

No. >> Hi, I'm here to say that I am uncomfortable and my friends are uncomfortable.

I recently switched to the Academy of Holy Names in Albany and

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I take a transfer bus here every two days out of every week. And the past couple days, a kid who I will not name, but he had a kill list the past two years and was expelled from Gilderland is on my bus.

And I am uncomfortable. My

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friends who know who this kid is are uncomfortable. We don't feel safe on this bus.

We don't feel safe knowing that this kid is there. And that's all I have to say.

>> Okay. Thank you.

Thank you.

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Um, and now Dedra, >> thank you. I just, um, wanted to reiterate, so I have two things.

First, I'll just follow up with what my daughter said. Um, speaking of busing failures, I think one of the things, you know, I do at work is risk assessments

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and, um, compensating controls. And I think that two years a year ago in this very meeting at the board, you knew that there was a risk with this individual and you came up with a compensating control for how things would be to make other children feel safe.

And I'm asking you to do the same thing in your busing

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situation. You have a risk.

Please make sure my child feels safe on the bus by putting in a compensating control. Whether that's an adult that is with this individual as I was told you were going to do when they were here in Guilderland, they're still on a Guilderland school bus with Guilderland children and there's no compensating

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control on that bus. Unless you tell me John Wick is the driver every day, I don't know that there's a compensating control to keep our children safe, but their feelings are valid.

Um, the second item I wanted to talk about, uh, goes back to our special education. again.

Thank you for our wonderful teachers,

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lovely program. First two weeks of school, got notifications that my son was having issues.

I'm like, "Okay, is his meds balanced? Did he get enough sleep last night?

Do we need to do this? Do we need to do that?" Try to dig in to figure out what's going on.

Turned out that um the aids were pulled to cover other places where there were staffing

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shortages and substitute aids were or supports were brought in to the self-contained special education classroom where all of these kids have very specific needs. And then those supports that were brought in didn't know these kids and didn't know what to

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do. So they just brought them back to the teacher when they started having problems.

So when you're looking at staffing and filling voids, maybe don't pull from the special education self-contained classroom where those paraprofessionals are very good at their jobs managing our kids and making me worry about medications and doctors and

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all these other things that weren't at play. It was that you had people there who didn't know my kid um supporting them.

So, if you could please again don't pull from the special education classroom that's already working really hard down one teacher. So, thank you.

>> Thank you.

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>> Did you want to comment at all? You don't have to.

I'm just wondering. Okay.

Um All righty. And I think I think we're that's it.

I think we're good. >> There's a couple there that I think we're

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>> Okay, never mind. Just a moment.

Chill, Abby. Oh yes, we have some that were written in.

My apologies. We have a plethora of them this evening.

Oh, and you used big font. Thank you.

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Okay. Dear members of the Gildland Central School District Board of Education, I am writing to express serious concern regarding the current condition of the tennis courts at Gilden High School and to respectfully request immediate action to resurface the existing courts and consider expanding

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the facility in the near future. The courts are in a state of disrepair with cracks, uneven surfaces, and worn out areas that poses clear safety hazard to our student athletes.

My daughter, who is a member of the tennis team, has already rolled her ankles since the beginning of this season due to the poor

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condition of the courts. Injuries like this are preventable, and it is deeply troubling that our athletes are being put at risk simply by practicing on their home courts.

Beyond safety, the current facilities do not reflect the dedication and hard work of our tennis players. These students train tirelessly, represent our school with

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pride, and deserve an environment that supports their growth and performance. Unfortunately, our courts fall short fall far short of a standard seen in neighboring districts, all of which have invested in high-quality tennis facilities.

This disparity not only affects morale, but also places our teams at a competitive disadvantage.

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Resurfacing the courts and adding more would be a meaningful investment in our students well-being and athletic development. It would demonstrate that Dolan values its athletes and is committed to providing equitable resources across all sports programs.

Our tennis players deserve safe, functional, and competitive facilities

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that match their dedication and talent. I urge the board to take swift action to address this issue.

Thank you for your time and for your continued commitment to the students of Guilderland. Sincerely, Naveen Rafael.

Okay. Next, Kristen um Husten submits,

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"As you know, the tennis courts are very important to both the school community and the larger Guilden community. Students and town residents use the ports.

They are in need of repair. There are broken gates, cracks, divots, and flooding issues.

They also are below the standards of schools throughout our

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area. Our family hopes that you make repairs to the courts to ensure the safety of those who use them.

We also hope that you look at broader needs for the tennis community and east campus of the school. Similar to how the district invested in the track and turf field several years ago, it's time to improve

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this part of campus. Creating additional courts in the east part of campus would vastly improve the tennis experience for our teams, the Guilderland community, and other students traveling to compete in meets at Guilderland.

If you do consider a larger project in the area of uh of this this area of campus, we hope

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that you also take into account the needs of mobility impaired spectators and the greater Guildlin community who could benefit from work in that area, including widening the East Drive, especially near the turn for student parking. Thank you for your consideration of these improvements and for all that you do for the Guilderland

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community. Uh thank you, Miss Hester.

Dear Gildland Central School District Board of Education, Superintendent Mayberry and um athletic director Dave Austin, I'm writing to advocate for the creation of a modified nine girls

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volleyball team for the 2627 school year. Interest in volleyball has grown rapidly in recent years and we are seeing an increasing number of girls eager to participate in the sport.

To give you a quick example, in our own district, enough girls are being cut from the girls volleyball program to

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make more than one other team. Unfortunately, with only JV and varsity available at the high school, a large number of girls who want to play are unable to do so.

Adding a girls Mod 9 volleyball team would provide opportunities for more students to be involved, build foundational skills, and develop their athletic potential in a

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supportive environment. Beyond the sport itself, participation in team athletics has been shown to promote confidence, resilience, and healthy peer relationships.

All benefits that are especially important for students as they continue to recover socially and emotionally from the pandemic. By expanding valuable opportunities, we not

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only nurture athletic talent, but also strengthen school spirit, foster teamwork, and ensure that most students can benefit from the positive academic and social outcomes associated with extracurricular involvement. I understand that when developing the budget, there are often competing needs for a particular budget line.

Please

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consider the return on investment when adding a 9th grade girls volleyball team. I know the cost will will be minimal to the overall budget, but you will significantly impact many students in the district because of the ripple effect of adding this team.

Overall, more students will be involved in school, which is a win. I hope you will

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consider the many benefits of establishing a Mod 9 girls volleyball team. I would be happy to help gather additional information or assist in any way to move this idea forward.

Thank you for your time and support. Sincerely, Sema Rivera.

Thank you, uh, Regent Rivera, for your

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comments. And now we have um one more from Lisa Maguire to whom it may concern.

My name is Lisa Maguire and I am the parent of a modified field hockey player at Guilderland. I am writing because our

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program deserves the same benefits as the other sports programs at Gilderland. We need a paid assistant coach just like the soccer, lacrosse, and flag football programs.

My daughter started field hockey a year and a half ago at the end of fifth grade when we learned about the youth field hockey program run by Jennifer Sykes. The opportunity to try

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field hockey as a youth gave my daughter the confidence to try out for the modified team this year. This was the first sport she showed the most interest in after trying other Are you ready to me?

Okay. And trying other sports um and other youth programs and it is because of coach Sykes that made it fun and a

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fun learning experience for our girls that she continued. My daughter has grown as a player in just a year and a half.

I also have a younger daughter who has had an opportunity to try field hockey because of Coach Sykes and I hope she can continue it as a player in middle school and high school. Coach Sykes runs a great program for the girls

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at Guilderland and deserves to have the same support as other sports in the district. Thank you for your consideration and support of Lady Dutch Field Hockey.

Lisa Maguire, any more Kip?

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No. >> Are you sure?

Okay. >> All right.

Yes. Well, um I would like honestly I would in all sincerity like to thank everybody submitted a public comment.

I I think it's a positive that the community gets involved and voices

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um their opinions and their concerns. Oh, Dave is on the agenda, right?

So we'll Okay. All right.

So then we'll move on with the agenda and uh go to our high part, right? Our high school

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student representatives. Good evening everyone.

I'm Ryan Ranka. I'm one of your board of education student representatives.

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Good evening everybody. My name is Park Serretcha and I'm the other student board representative.

It's such an honor to be here tonight. So to start off, we wanted to update you guys on what's been going on at the past week here at GHS, namely our spirit week, spirit rally, and homecoming weekend.

So spirit week

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was occurring when student government chose themes for students to follow on every day of the week. For example, Monday was pajama day where students wear pajamas.

Tuesday we had off. Wednesday was anything but a backpack day.

So you bring something to bring your materials that's not a backpack. I brought a wagon, for example, that I

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wheeled around school. Thursday was teachers dress as grew and students dress as minions.

And Friday was wear red as Guilderland. And this was done intentionally because Friday was a day of our spirit rally.

So the spirit rally is a day where we kind of just increase

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school spirit for Guilderland by getting the entire school together in the West Gym. And there's a lot of things that go on.

There's grade level games. There's performances like chamber choir performed for example and the whole school did karaoke to Don't Stop Believe in.

So, it's just a day to get spirit up and that's also in preparation for the

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homecoming football game. So, the varsity football game played Albany this Friday at our homecoming game and this was also um preceded by the color tailgate hosted by international club which is where students can buy color and usually students will wear white for this.

They'll wear white and color is

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thrown like all across the students by color and they throw it at each other. There's even a leaf blower there that they put color into and like start spraying it everywhere.

And so then everybody gets a bunch of color on them, red, blue, green, and we go covered in these colors all the way to the football game and play and and watch our football

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team play a homecoming game. And that game definitely went very very well.

We beat Albany very, very comfortably, 38 to0. And we celebrated that win with our homecoming dance on Saturday.

And the homecoming dance was held from 7:30 to 10:00. I don't want to say too much on how the student body felt because it's

43:53

very, very hard for me as one person to get an accurate reading. But I will say that I did, from who I did ask, I got pretty decent reviews from our DJ this year, DJ Bump.

And also the line for homecoming this year was very, very, very big. Usually I wait about the, if

44:09

you can envision it, when you enter towards the west gym, there's this wall over here. Usually when I go, this wall is halfway filled up.

It takes about 5 minutes to get in. This time, this whole entire wall was filled and the half wall going that way as well.

So, I definitely saw that happening as well, which I

44:25

don't want to say means there was more participation, but definitely I did see a lot of people there, which was really, really nice to see. Now, I'll hand it off to Ryan.

Thank you so much. >> And if you can believe it, Partha actually didn't mention everything that's happened in the past week.

One notable thing I want to bring up to you all is the TEDex event that was hosted

44:42

by two Gilderland seniors on Saturday. This was an event where actually Gil GHS students got the opportunity to give TED talks and it was official TED event.

I from all the people that I have talked to they received it really well. If you want to go back and listen to it, it's recorded on the GHS media page.

You can

44:57

hear our own parfait. He gave a TED talk.

It was wonderful. And topics spann everywhere from the medical field to Rubik's cubes to the art of socializing.

And I definitely recommend you all to see what GHS students are thinking and what really interests them. Another thing, you kind of stole my thunder

45:13

earlier, but we do have the college fair going on tonight. It's a exciting event for students of all grade levels to get to learn about colleges, meet admissions rep.

I think it's a very helpful experience. So, I'm sure they're all at the college fair now, but it's a great time.

And then coming up this Friday, October 3rd, is going to be the end of

45:29

their interim for the first quarter. And then the interim reports will come out the following Friday, October 10th.

The interim isn't a official grading period and the way the uh quarter would be, but the interim marks the halfway mark. And an important thing students should make sure they're keeping in mind is that

45:45

many students will use the interim mark as a way to say no late work after this period. So definitely keep that in mind.

Students will be able to kind of see how they're doing if you can believe it already 5 weeks into the school year which is >> crazy to me. >> So that's all that Parth and I have for you tonight.

It was a pleasure getting to see you all again having this

46:01

meeting. >> Great.

Thank you so much Ryan. Thank you.

>> Okay. Hey, and now we're going to move on to our independent audit reports.

>> Hi there. My name is Jill Tyson.

I am a partner with Western Company. We have

46:17

completed the district's annual external audit. Everyone should have a copy.

I will start by saying the audit went very well. Um, we've gone through in detail with the audit committee, so I will just hit some of the highlights.

So, on page one is our independent auditor's report.

46:33

This is the first of four audit reports that the district receives. This is our report on the financial statements and it is an unmodified or clean audit opinion.

So that is the highest that you can receive. Page four starts the management's

46:49

discussion and analysis. This goes from pages 4 through 13 and it's more of a narrative summary.

If you don't wish to read the entire 70some page document, this is more of a summary. It compares the current year to the prior year and gives more background.

47:05

The first of the actual statements starts on page 14. So the district has two types of statements within these financial statements.

There are governmentwide statements and fundbased statements. Page 14 is your statement of net position, which is your first

47:22

governmentwide statement, and it shows all short-term and long-term assets and liabilities of the district. You will see total assets of the district were just under $184 million as of year end.

And the largest portion of that is the

47:38

capital assets net of depreciation of about $135 million. This is the land, buildings, and equipment of the district.

And the cost of those is recognized over their estimated useful lives. The liabilities, the amounts owed to others in total were just over $37

47:55

million. Uh, a few items to note here.

The bond anticipation notes payable of just over $29 million. That is your short-term capital project financing.

The bonds payable of about $38 million are your long-term financing. And the

48:12

largest liability is your other post-employment benefits liability of just under $217 million. All districts are required to have an actuary determine the cost to provide health insurance to employees and retirees of the district and to record this

48:29

liability. But New York State does not allow you to set aside any funds for the future liability.

You're only allowed to budget for each year's retire insurance premiums. So therefore, you end up in a deficit net position at the bottom of the page because you have a large

48:45

liability and you're not allowed to have any offsetting assets. This is the same for all districts.

So it is not unique to Guilderland, but it does make it look as though you have a very poor position, but it is just due to the fact that you have to record that liability, but you can't set aside funds for that

49:00

liability. The second of your fund of your governmentwide statements is on the next page.

So this is your statement of activities and changes in that position. This shows your revenues and expenses, but it includes governmentwide re uh expenses such as the changes in that

49:16

other post-employment benefits liability and non-cash expenses like your depreciation. Page 16 is the first of your fundbased statements.

This is how you're more used to seeing the um financial activity of the district. So you do have uh six

49:32

different funds. Um, just to go over the basics, your CM, miscellaneous special revenue fund includes your extra classroom clubs, scholarships, and educational contribution money.

Your capital fund is your construction project activity. Your debt service fund

49:48

is money held to pay long-term debt. Your school lunch fund is for all cafeteria activity.

Your special aid fund accounts for grants. And then your general fund is all activity not required to be included in one of the other funds.

Uh, two items to note here. You will see the capital fund at the

50:04

bottom of the page. It does have a deficit fund balance.

That is due to the fact that until you actually bond for your projects, you don't actually have revenue coming in for those projects. So, it shows as a deficit fund balance until you bond for them.

And your special aid fund you will see has zero

50:21

fund balance. For your grants, you spend the money and then get reimbursed that amount.

So, it ends up with zero fund balance. Page 18 is your second fundbased statement.

This shows your revenues and expenses for the year for each of the

50:38

funds. A few items to mention here.

Um you will see, as I mentioned, the special aid fund has zero balance at year end. Your revenues match up to your expenses.

Uh your general fund, you were just over $128 million in revenue. The

50:53

largest portion of that is your real property taxes and then your state aid. For your expenditures, you are just under 122 million for the general fund.

And the largest portion of that is your instruction expenses and your employee benefits. Page 20 starts the notes to the

51:10

financial statements. There's a description of the district and then there's more detail on the accounting policies and some of the numbers in the financial statements.

I will just mention a couple of the notes. On page 42, there is the long-term debt footnote,

51:27

and this shows the detail at the bottom of all of your bonds outstanding as of year end and the principal and interest due for the next 5 years and then for 5year periods thereafter. Um, one other item to mention.

If you

51:44

flip to page 50, since the district voters approve the general fund budget each year, you are required to provide information showing your budget to actual comparison. Page 50 shows the budget to actual for your revenues and then page 51 for your

51:59

expenses. You will see for the revenues, you ended up with about just under $2.4 million more revenue than budgeted.

The main drivers of that was the use of money in property line. You will see that was about 1.2 million more than

52:15

budgeted. That was due to earning more interest on your funds held.

Page 51. As far as the comparison for your expenditures, you underspent the budget by about $2.9 million or about 2%.

Um, overall very

52:31

close to what you budgeted. Couple other um supplemental schedules to mention.

Page 55. At the bottom of the page is the section 1318 calculation.

So, New York State law

52:46

requires that school districts are not allowed to have more than 4% of next year's budget and unassigned fund balance. And as of year end, Guilderland is at 3.9%.

So, you are fine. The next section of your audit is what's

53:02

called the single audit. Because the district spent more than $750,000 of federal grant money during the year, we are required to perform a single audit where we look at controls and compliance related to the federal grants.

You receive two audit reports related to that. The first is on page

53:19

59. This is our report on internal control and compliance with government auditing standards.

And this is another clean unmodified opinion. We did not find any issues.

Page 61 is the second of the reports. This is our report on internal control

53:35

and compliance for each major federal program. So each year we select one or more federal grants to test.

This year we looked at section 611 and 619. And once again it's an unmodified opinion.

No issues to report. Page 64 is your schedule of expenditures

53:53

of federal awards. So this details out all federal grant spending for the year for the district.

So you will see at the bottom of the page just over $4 million of total federal grant spending for the year and that is down substantially from last year just due to the fact that the

54:09

co 19 funding ended in the fall. And then one uh other section related to the single audit on page 66 is your schedule of findings and question costs.

Now the title of that makes it seem a

54:25

little scary but this is good news. Um, this summary does show that you had unmodified clean audit opinions and no issues as far as internal control or compliance and no findings.

So, overall a very good audit. The last section of the audit is the extra classroom funds.

54:43

So, these are the student club money, but the district board does have oversight over those. Um, similar to past years and the same for all of our districts.

This opinion is a qualified opinion just because we can't prove that all money that is collected is submitted

54:59

to the central treasurers. Page 70 shows the total balance in those accounts as of year end was just over $313,000.

And then pages 71 and 72 detail out the activity in the clubs for the year by

55:15

club. Um, I know that was a very brief overview, but if anyone has any questions, >> that's how we like it.

Thank you very much. No problem.

And the visual aid is very helpful also because we can refer

55:32

back to it. So, thank you so much.

>> Does anyone have any questions? >> Okay.

>> Do we need to Yes. So, um, we have a resolution

55:48

to accept the independent audit report. >> Is that a roll call or no?

>> I believe it is. >> Yeah, >> let's let's do so to be safe.

>> Sounds good to me. >> Excellent.

>> First, >> um, so Kim, I think that's you.

56:04

>> That's me. >> Um, I'll just start at the beginning.

Blanca, >> do we need a motion to approve? >> Yeah, we need Do we need a motion?

I think we do. I'm sorry.

>> For roll call. No matter >> of practice.

Thank you. Um, so we'll go with Peter.

Second. Kim.

>> Okay.

56:20

>> Wanka. >> Yes.

I >> JD Pierro. >> Yes.

>> Kelly Person. >> Not here.

>> Oh, she's here. >> Kimberly Glac.

56:35

>> Nina Kaplan. >> Yes.

>> Rebecca Butterfield. >> Yes.

>> Sery. >> Yes.

>> Meredith Priier. >> Yes.

Peter Stapleton. >> Yes.

>> 8. >> So, I just want to pause and thank Jill

56:51

for all of her work. Recognize John Rizzo, our business administrator, uh leads the team, uh Julie Adamac, Nicole Pavone, uh Judy, Tory Reinhardt, uh Jean Sie, Dianinini, uh Jeff Coons.

We had a lot

57:06

of people contribute to another successful year and audit. So, thank you all.

Great. Thank you very much.

>> Um, is this made public? I just wonder.

>> It will be posted. Uh, we'll both put notice in the paper and we will also post on the website.

57:22

>> Great. Thank you for anyone watching at home that wants to take a peek.

All right. Um, let's move on to um superintendent and athletic director um who's going to give us a update on the tennis courts.

Dave, first

57:38

>> I'm going to chime in as needed. >> Okay.

Hi everybody. As I understand it, there's been quite a bit of discussion with our tennis court.

So, I'm here to kind of provide some information, some of which you may know, some of which you may not. Um, share some concerns from my

57:54

lens, our coach's lens, and, uh, kind of some recommended next steps and certainly answer any questions if you have it. So, uh, for those that don't know, we have two sets of tennis courts here at the high school.

All right. Each set of courts have four courts.

We have eight total courts on campus. We have

58:10

our east courts closest to the football field and our west courts closest to the district office. Uh we'll start with the east courts.

Uh back in 2016, there was a capital project uh that included uh full reconstruction of our east tennis courts. Uh and that was approved and

58:26

that work was done uh in 2017 before my time started, but this is information I received from Cliff. Um, so full reconstruction on the east courts in the summer of 2017 that included new fencing, posts, uh, nets and surface.

58:42

Those courts have held up reasonably well, um, but are now starting to show the signs of aging, some cracks on on some courts. Um, we do have repairs scheduled.

They were actually supposed to come last week, but the weather kind of derailed their plans. Uh, so

58:58

Copeland's coming out um, hopefully tomorrow. I haven't gotten confirmation, but I know the plan was this week uh to address the cracks.

They're going to start on the east courts and then they're going to work over to the west. Uh so, thank you to Cliff Nun and the facilities department for scheduling those.

Uh I'm not an expert, but based on my

59:15

quick Google research, these courts have a lifespan of about 10 to 15 years. Um so, you know, my I'll get to this later, but I would certainly say that we should kind of think about full reconstruction on the east courts uh in the very near future.

the West Courts um back in 2019

59:33

there was a capital project and I apologize if I'm misspeaking I wasn't here at the time but uh my understanding was that originally that the proposal for the work on the west courts was full reconstruction um and for reasons I believe I don't know if it didn't pass or had to go back

59:48

to uh you know we had to put out another uh a second proposal we scaled back the project um on the west court so the work that was done uh in 2021 one uh they got uh on those courts there was partial renovations. It was resurfacing and then

00:05

in 2022 was fence replacement and so partial renovations uh versus full reconstruction um because the original capital project did not pass. So the tennis court work was scaled back considerably and issues appeared rather quickly.

They started very minor cracks on the very outside

00:22

perimeter of the west courts, not on the courts of play. Um, but certainly something that, you know, kind of caught our eye pretty pretty quickly.

Um, we also noticed, you know, it didn't take long after we found our first, you know, rainstorm, you'd see the next day we'd

00:37

had some puddles, uh, that, you know, normally on courts that are properly pitched and have good drainage, you know, they need about an hour or two of sun and some wind and they'll dry right up. Um, and so some areas on the west courts are not unless you actually physically go out there and blow the

00:53

water off, push the water off and and so it's clearly uh some uneven surfaces on on the west courts that we're dealing with. And when you get pooling of water, I mean, that could certainly make the courts a little slicker.

Um, I know they just pressure wash the east courts, which have helped. Um, but you know, the

01:10

problems that I kind of just spoke about, I think in my opinion, highlight the limitations of partial fixes um versus full reconstruction. Uh, so I think originally it was like a $600,000 uh job that kind of got scaled back to closer to $250,000.

Um, and and I'll say this again, Cliff

01:27

Nun and the facilities department is committed to addressing the cracks. I will say the cracks have gotten worse.

You know, um, probably much worse since our recent winter. Um, they're starting to, you know, they're on our courts, not on the perimeters of our courts.

They're on our courts of play. Uh, court three,

01:43

which is closest to Rean's office, is probably the worst one right now. Um, so you know, it it we're definitely seeing the limitations of the partial fix versus the full reconstruction.

So, uh, but I do want to add that, you know, Cliff has scheduled Copeland to come in and, um, you know, address the cracks.

01:58

Um, they're going to, like I said, they're going to start with the east and then they're going to work over to the west. Um, you know, and and so we appreciate his support there.

Um overall concerns, needs, both sets of courts, in my opinion, should be considered for full reconstruction uh and the next

02:13

capital project uh put out to voters. Uh the east courts, like I said, are reaching that 10-year time span.

Um and the west, you know, didn't get a full reconstruction. So, I think we're we're quickly seeing the uh the after effects of that.

Uh current conditions impact playability, safety, and overall

02:30

experience. And I'll add, um, you know, tennis participation here is strong.

We've got, uh, varsity girls and JV girls that compete in the fall. We have varsity boys and JV boys that compete in the spring.

All of those teams are also using them in the summer months as well.

02:45

Uh, we have regular community use, you know, I take a look almost every time I drive out, you know, when I leave work, and there's almost always community members playing on the courts. We have youth camps.

Uh, 15 Love is a group that, uh, runs youth camps, um, throughout the entire summer. Uh we

03:01

actually have uh adult leagues that are playing uh matches um on the west court. So getting a lot of use.

Uh and I'll add our programs here I think in my opinion are among the strongest uh in the league. So I think the players in the community deserve top facilities here at

03:17

Gildland. I want to shout out Guildland girls tennis specifically.

Uh they are currently unbeaten this fall season. Uh I just got word from uh coach Murray they defeated Ballson Spa tonight.

Uh, so they are leading the very competitive suburban council. So, shout out to coach, uh, Deb Murray and her team.

Um,

03:34

so just in closing, what I would, uh, you know, ask, I know these are very expensive projects. Um, so, you know, my goal was to come and provide some information from my lens to you guys.

Um, those are obviously big decisions that are outside of my pay grade. And so, I fully understand the cost of these

03:50

projects. I've done this I've been in this role in two other districts before I got here to Guilderland and tennis courts.

That was a tough one in my previous two districts as well. And uh so they're expensive.

I I know that. Um but I do want to advocate because I think it gets a ton of use and our teams

04:05

are strong and they and they deserve the best. So uh I you know certainly appreciate um that Cliff Nun and the facilities department has a plan to um you know to uh a short-term plan to address some of the major cracks on the courts.

Um I'm little fearful that those

04:20

are going to be short-term band-aids. uh just based on my experience doing this, I've seen them come in before and they do fix the problem uh in the short term, but it just masks it um you know, for a season, maybe two.

Uh I know we've got a winter coming up in a couple a couple months, so that'll that'll impact the

04:36

courts. Um but he has assured us, myself and Dan, um that uh he will uh continue to make plans um to have those fixes uh every year uh until which is why I'm here talking to you guys.

we hopefully put up the courts for full

04:52

reconstruction, both sets, uh, in the very near future. Uh, I know they're expensive and likely have to be a part of a capital project.

Um, and so I would, uh, I would make that recommendation to include both, uh, sets of tennis courts, full reconstruction in the in the next capital project that

05:08

goes out to voters and certainly can answer any questions if you have. >> Um, I do Oh, go ahead, Rebecca.

I don't know if this is directed to you, Dave, and I appreciate you presenting tonight, so it might not be directed to you, but I think my frustration when I heard from the community about the tennis courts was that we just had a capital project

05:24

like four months ago that was 57 or $59 million, and I don't remember hearing about the tennis courts needing reconstruction or or anything remediation. I I could have missed it, but I really don't remember hearing about it.

And then it seems like we

05:40

passed the capital project that did not include anything with the tennis courts and then we're hearing all of these, you know, terrible things and these potential safety hazards. And it just makes me wonder what other issues are we missing that weren't included in the capital project that could have, you

05:56

know, deletious consequences to our students or staff. Um, again, it may not be to you, so I I apologize.

You're just at the podium. >> No, it's a it's a good question.

It's a good qu and it's tough, right? I mean, I just kind of shared what I my quick Google search

06:11

shows of what time span is of a of lifespan of a tennis court is. So knowing the timeline of our of the court work that's been done, that's a tough and it's an expensive project.

That's a very tough ass to say, hey, you know, we just had some what 300 $300,000 worth of work in 2021, 2022. Uh let's put this up

06:29

for, you know, two two years later, 3 years later, four years later. Um that's that's tough.

That's that's that's a lot of money. Um, but I'll also say that they think the cracks have gotten worse even since last season.

So, I think it's kind of twofold. Those those would be my my responses to them.

06:45

>> I feel like, and I could be wrong cuz I'm 47. I feel like early on the courts were mentioned, but never made it to like a priority A, B, or C.

>> Only in 2019, like for they were not mentioned during >> at the facilities committee level. Yeah,

07:02

they they were definitely not mentioned during this last go for >> but I wasn't here in 2019. >> No, I just I was on the I wasn't on the board, but I was on the facilities committee.

It was $41.3 million that was rejected and then we came back with 31.3

07:20

and so we had to take 10 million out. But the courts were mentioned then they weren't mentioned on the future ready grant that we just >> I was gonna say I think they were mentioned there was a tiny bit of time before we became the future ready task force when there was just a regular old

07:36

facilities conversation. >> The only thing I found was an email from 2022.

>> That was it. There's been no I think I shared the same concerns that Rebecca did where right we hadn't heard anything nothing from parents nothing from the

07:52

facilities but also if we were to even add it would we even get state aid at this point just based on how old the courts are. Uh it's it's challenging to to give a definitive answer, but generally uh

08:10

building aid is based on probable useful life, which is often 15 years. >> So lean towards no, but it's hard to give a definitive answer until it goes before them.

>> Could you could you speak to the non-athletic use for physical education

08:28

of those courts as well? Yeah, our PE classes are out there quite frequently whenever the weather's nice.

Um, we're playing on those courts. Yep.

As well. So, the high school visit department uses those.

So, it gets it gets its fair share of use for sure. >> But, but not just for tennis.

Are they using >> No, not just for tennis. They I mean,

08:44

it's a it's a net game that they're out there playing, but sometimes they're playing like a tennis game with their feet out there. >> Yeah.

What is that? Melon ball.

>> Melon pickle ball. >> Pickle ball is is exploding and I think it's only a matter of time before that's a inner school sport.

Just my opinion,

08:59

just saying. >> So, yeah.

>> Um, so is the use of the quartz affecting the usability or is it just weather that breaks it down? >> I'm not an expert in that area, but I don't think there's anything that we're

09:15

doing that's deter that's helping, you know, deteriorate the courts faster. >> That leads into my second question, which is you mentioned various other programs that are using the courts.

Do they pay for that or do they get to use

09:30

the courts for free? >> The uh adult group does pay to use our courts.

I'm not sure about the youth camp. Generally, we treat our youth uh groups as kind of our next closest groups to sports teams here.

It's our next generation of athletes. So, we generally don't charge them to use our

09:46

facilities unless it requires a custodian to be there outside of normal hours. So, I think the only group that's paying to use those courts are is the adult uh league that plays in in the summer evenings.

>> Thank you. >> Yep.

>> Be covered under board policy on building use.

10:02

>> I have a question, Dave. >> Sure.

>> Um, so one of the things I have I share the same frustration because we probably could have sprinkled it in to the big capital project that passed, but it didn't make it that far. I know that there were conversations.

When have you heard about it? Have you heard about it

10:17

since 2019? I think what's happening is that maybe the board isn't aware, but you've been contacted by parents or the coach.

So, it's been on your radar. It's not a brand new thing that suddenly people are asking for new.

>> What I can remember right back to the

10:33

specifically the west courts cuz they were finished right before I started here. Um, we quickly noticed small cracks on the perimeter.

Now, it wasn't on the court of play >> like right after >> like right after. And we it didn't take us long to realize they weren't the most level courts.

>> Okay. >> But again, we scaled back that project.

10:49

So, you know, at that point in time, >> um, you know, is it ideal? Absolutely not.

But is it a situation where they were unsafe and not playable? No, not in my opinion.

Um, and so it was, hey, you know, this is what we're left with until we have another opportunity to advocate

11:06

for uh hopefully a full reconstruction project. >> Um, and so then my next question, sorry Nina, then I'll I'll call on you.

Um, I heard uh a number and again 47, can't remember where. Is it actually like $20,000 to fix them each time or or how much are we talking about?

11:21

>> He's got he's got a group coming. I don't know.

I I didn't see that. Uh my guess is they're not it's not cheap and and uh they'll patch up the cracks.

Um and it will hopefully get us through the year and my guess is we'll have to re >> re readress it next year.

11:36

>> Just in terms of being cost effective, you know. >> Yeah, I've seen those repairs done.

I mean, they're aesthetically not the most pleasing things. they'll they'll patch them right up, but it it will it will deal with the issue >> in for a short for a short term.

>> The last thing I just want to add, Meredith, to your point about other groups, one of the groups that you

11:53

mentioned, 15 Love, um they are uh a program that Do you know who they are or not? Okay.

Right. So, it's kids coming from um urban areas that don't have courts and um they come and use our courts, but um I've noticed that they're

12:08

the only team that uses them that cleans up after themselves, which I've always appreciated. I've seen people out there like brushing afterwards.

Um so, I actually do appreciate that. >> Yeah.

Um so, I just want to ask about the um the timeline of the courts.

12:25

uh maybe I didn't hear correctly, but seemed to imply that the general deterioration seems to be faster than what would be anticipated generally. Um is there possibly another underlying cause as to what's going on that might

12:40

explain why there's such a sudden drastic shift in the courts um you know in the in the status that they are compared to the last few years. That may have been why it was an oversight.

If maybe it wasn't an oversight, perhaps there's other factors here that are

12:56

contributing to the general problem of what's existing in that space. >> Mhm.

Well, if Cliff Nun was here, he talked about you would talk about uh the melting and the and the the rain in both of the areas where our courts are is not the best. And I'm sure that's impacting

13:12

our courts maybe. >> Uh which is why we're seeing this before the 10 to 15 year in the east, which is holding up better.

the west I can certainly say you know I think if it was a full reconstruction project I don't think we would see the issues that we're seeing right now on those parts >> so I think part of what you have to deal

13:28

with is a high water table so we have that constant freeze thaw which is contributing to it so in a reconstruction that's part of what would have to take place is dealing with the groundwater which is going to increase the cost of the court just because there is a high groundwater it's not like you're building them up on a hill where

13:44

it naturally drains so that's that's part of what's contributing to this and it's that back and forth temperature swing that we have is what's causing the majority of this rapid deterioration, if you will. So, right now, let's just be clear, the courts are not deemed unsafe.

14:00

They're not perfect. We have a repair cycle that's sort of starting to address that.

Um and we are estimating that they will in theory with continued maintenance last about five years which would put it right in cycle with most

14:15

likely the next capital project which would be a natural thing. So on our internal list when when Dave and Mr.

Nun and I met is already included on our list of things to view and based on the feedback it's definitely going to be one of the priority items in the athletic

14:31

realm for our next project. Oh, Paris.

I'm sorry. Sorry.

>> Uh, I had one question about the repairs you were saying we're thinking of doing the one like the bandit kind of thing. So, does it address the like the divots

14:46

in the quartz and like the water like not being able to get the water off properly? It doesn't address any of that.

>> It will not. It only address the cracks in our courts.

>> So, they'll patch up the cracks. Yeah.

I think the only way to address the uneven surfaces would be a full full reconstruction. Yeah.

So that's an

15:02

important uh point part that it's really not just the cracks. It's these like sinkhole type things that collect the water and they're all black for mildew, but um they are an uneven surface and people do literally roll their ankles in them.

I think we've been lucky in that

15:19

they're not on the part where you're playing. They're on like outside of the box.

I I wouldn't say single. >> Correct.

They're not they're it's small indentations in the surface. It's not perfectly flat.

In general, most athletes that are playing on the court

15:35

are not going to be injured by these because to some degree, most courts are not perfectly flat all the way across. So, I sink holes that I think might be a little strong of a description.

Um, >> you might have to just >> I'm sure you are. I've walked the courts, but I I think at this point they

15:51

haven't been deemed unsafe, whereas if the holes were big enough, I think we definitely would have gotten a hey, don't use these um at this point in time. I encourage everyone in the community to go and settle this dispute and look and see if they think they look like singles.

>> Either way, it's probably not going to

16:07

change our timeline. The only thing it's probably going to do is people are going to make their own choice of whether they use it or not at this point until they >> But again, I think they are outside of the square playing area.

So, the cracks would help with the playing. >> Does this uneven surface affect ball

16:24

play at all? Like how it bounces?

I think because it's outside of the box, it doesn't matter. It >> doesn't.

Can I comment on that or >> hard to answer that? I mean, for certain.

It would be hard to answer that. I guess if hit in the absolute perfect spot, it could, you know, but I

16:42

think it'd be hard for me to give you a definitive answer on that. >> I think that would be true on any field to play, whether you're playing soccer or field hockey or >> Sure.

>> You know what I The biggest thing I mean I feel really bad for coach Murray and our other coaches that when they have to go out and get the water out of those areas because the sun doesn't take you

16:59

could just it just it just pools. >> And she also doesn't have an assistant coach so she's at doing it all.

>> That's correct. >> Two courts.

>> Correct. >> Which we should discuss across the entire athletic not just two teams.

>> So were you going to say something else? >> Oh yeah.

I just wanted to try and answer

17:15

your question a bit like Mr. Austin said it's really hard to answer that like but it's not like when you hit the ball like you hit it down this way it's going to curve all the way like out that way but I have heard coach complaining multiple times that the courts are uneven so because of that the water stays it's not like the best like way to play obviously

17:32

it's not something where again it's going to completely affect the game you can't play at all but it's definitely not ideal circumstances so I just wanted to comment on that cuz coach did bring it up before >> and the girls are undefeated >> yes >> they are unbeat Oh, I think they've learned how to plan the court.

17:47

>> Yeah, right. >> They've done a fabulous job.

>> Um, so it's not on the agenda, but um, we have circled this topic a lot and the athletic director is standing in front of us. So, I do just wonder um, I'm

18:05

going to phrase this as a question. Um, I think most of us would probably like more information um on the coaching assistant coaches in general across the board.

So, I don't know if maybe for uh next time as a followup to Kim's point,

18:21

which is now the second time she's made it. Um, we would like to hear about assistant coaches across the board.

What how were the decisions made? Who has them?

Who doesn't? Is there in fact a disparity between uh male teams and female teams?

That sort of a thing. Um

18:38

>> it's a great question. I mean, I wasn't prepared to talk about that tonight, but I certainly can answer any questions.

I I will say that I have, you know, you could go back the past couple budget cycles. I have advocated for uh addition of uh assistant coaches in multiple uh sports at the varsity level, including

18:54

field hockey. Um it is my uh certainly I would always advocate for more support for our programs, but I also know that comes with those requests is cost and when you're balancing budget that's uh you got a lot of people asking for a lot of things.

But I will say it's an easy

19:10

thing for me to dig up because I could just search my my stage one and stage two from the last couple of years because I've included those. >> Great.

At one point one of our board members asked for a list of the things that don't make it. Um and >> I think that was last year.

>> Was it last year? I don't remember who it was, but it was a brilliant idea.

We

19:26

would like to know what doesn't make it at the end of the day. Um, so yeah, if you could get back to us with that, be great.

I don't think you need to show up. You could also email it to us.

>> Okay. >> Yeah, I could take those up.

>> I just have one other thing. Um, it was brought to my attention that the boys

19:42

athletics got more money in the budget than the girls. The boys got $119,484 more than the girls in the budget.

The boys got 329,664 and the girls received 210,80.

19:59

That's in that was in the budget. And I said, I have no idea what goes into the budget.

Like why is it such so much more for the boy sports? I don't know if it's equipment.

I don't know. >> Actually, didn't a student was a student?

Yeah. >> Yeah.

I actually just met with a couple students. They were great.

Eighth graders came and asked some very very

20:15

good questions before I got here just advocating for for their experience and for, >> you know, female sports. And so they asked that very that very question.

>> She wanted me to explain it to her and I'm like I don't know. >> I said listen I don't have the numbers in front of me but I can tell you that one one one discrepancy that you that I

20:31

will tell you that will explain some of that >> is there is a sport that you know primarily is played by males that requires about 10 to 12,000 at minimum every year by law to recondition the equipment before we're able to safely use it next year. And that is football.

20:46

So >> Oh yeah. >> Yeah.

So, I did kind of point to that budget code and I said, "Well, that's you're looking at about $10 to $12,000 difference there between your boys, general supply code, which is anything we from uniforms to game balls to cones. I mean, you name it." And and and so there's I said that's likely your

21:03

biggest discrepancy between the boys code and the girls code. But honestly, the other athletic codes, I mean, you could look at them, they're if they're not identical, they're almost identical.

But um that would I would point to that as a as one of the reasons for the discrepancy. There's no other sport that

21:19

we offer that requires me to turn the equipment in uh at the end of every year to have reconditioned. That's the only sport that we have.

So >> football. Absolutely.

>> And that's only gone up like the cost of everything. It's only gone up.

>> Yeah. Yeah.

Okay. So, as we review the information asked about coaches, sports,

21:35

assistant coaches, and things like that, this is a natural we'll be able to tease out what sports we have, what coaches we have, and then look at the cost that way, which would give a more accurate answer as to where why there is a discrepancy. >> Yeah, cuz that's more than it seems,

21:50

right? >> Right.

It's well, it's all tied together. So, let's we'll we'll give a more informed answer with you.

So, >> I can share that outside of salaries and athletics, uh, the boys budget was $120,300

22:06

and the girls budget was $118,000. $118,272.

>> That was not not exactly accurate, but like two a couple thousand dollar off. >> Okay.

I think just an overall would be good to know, especially before we start

22:21

adding new teams to the mix, seeing what we currently have right now that really needs that support as well, >> because then it's going to come down to where those new teams too are going to need that support and we're just throwing out new teams and no support to >> build up.

22:41

>> All right. The other thing I I would add is we did have an internal audit on title 9 in equity uh in 21-22 that like all internal audits had some findings but nothing substantial about equitable differences between boys and girls funding or resources.

22:56

>> What year was that part of the audit committee? I can't I think it was >> 2122.

Okay. um one when you get back to us with the info.

One thing that did stand out to me and and I am appreciative because my daughter played she played flag football that there was an

23:12

assistant coach, but I am kind of wondering how they ended up with an assistant coach when coach Sykes didn't and coach Sykes has been asking for a while. >> It's a very very valid concern that they that they brought up.

I mean that sport was coming like a freight train though. I mean the popularity of that sport has exploded and so um I think you know the

23:28

first year we did not jump in. most of the other uh teams in our league did in that sport.

Um, so there was this model that they kind of laid out there in that sport for those that waited for a year or two to start the sport up and um, you know, it might not be an answer that's

23:44

satisfying to to the field hockey athletes or the field hockey coaches, but the answer is we kind of took that model and that's the recommendation that I put forward when starting that sport. um follow girls flag football, you know, is that listen, you know, x number of teams in our league are already

23:59

supporting this program and here's here's what all the schools are doing with coaches um offensive coach, defensive coach, and so that's why the recommendation was put out there. But I fully understand that that's a tough pill to swallow from from their lens.

I understand that.

24:15

>> Thank you. Go ahead.

>> Are there any sports that are declining in participation? Boy, that's a great, you know, I I don't have the numbers, but I I don't think so.

You know, I mean, I think um since co I think CO has maybe impacted some

24:31

sports more than others. Um girls soccer, we decided on three levels this year instead of four.

Um you know, that was our previous varsity coach, rest in peace, Coach Cochran, and she actually had hinted that that might be something we should be talking about for this year. So, she kind of knew that was coming.

We aren't alone there. I mean,

24:48

some other schools in our league are doing the same. So, um, for the most part, we're pretty good.

I mean, we get about 50% of our student population participating in at least one sport here, 25% participating in two. So, uh, we need that.

We're a smaller school, uh, compared to some of the other

25:03

schools in our league. So, we need that multiport mentality, and for the most part, we have that, which is good.

So, uh, numbers are good, but our enrollments, you know, declining at the elementary level. So, that's something we got to keep an eye on going forward.

That's likely going to have an impact on our numbers. Maybe not in the next two,

25:19

three years, but you know, certainly in the next 8 to 10 years. So, >> thank you.

>> Well, thank you very much. >> Thank you guys for all of your help and support.

Appreciate it. Take care.

>> Thank you. >> Thank you.

>> Okay. And next we have the consent items.

Um so, um can I get a motion to

25:36

accept the minutes and the CPS-C recommendations, financials? I think we were over by Rebecca.

A second. Meredith.

Any questions or comments? All those in favor?

Passes 8070.

25:51

80. Thank you.

Um, okay. And then we have curriculum and instructions.

Take it away, Rachel. >> Good evening.

I have one accolade from our music department. Each year, thousands of student musicians in New York State compete for an opportunity to

26:07

be selected for one of the most prestigious NISMA Conference Allstate Music Ensembles. Admission to these highly selective groups is based upon the score received the previous spring during the NISMA solo evaluation festival where each student performed

26:22

before a certified adjudicator who carefully evaluated every aspect of their performance. Selection to an all-state ensemble is regarded as one of the highest honors a student musician can achieve in New York State.

The Guilderland Music Department is proud to celebrate six students who have been

26:38

selected to Enisma Allstate Music Ensemble, including Grace Forin for mixed chorus, Adam Herald for symphonic band, Lindseay Hogan for mixed chorus, Anthony Padulla for symphonic band,

26:53

Caleb Pinder for wind ensemble, and Yunu Sam Woo for wind ensemble. Additionally, we had several students who were chosen as alternates.

Christopher Hoffman, Emily Maguire, Alex Parmer, Gavin Rays,

27:10

Zexie John Wang, and Toby Weiss. These talented students will spend four days in Rochester rehearsing with other gifted student musicians from across New York State with the event culminating in a concert at Kodak Hall at Eastman Theater at the Eastman School of Music.

27:26

So, congratulations to those students, their families, and their teachers. >> Great.

Thank you very much. Superintendent information.

>> Yeah, just a reminder that October is National Principal Month to those of you in the back. So, uh it's going to

27:42

commemorate each October is a time to formally recognize and express your gratitude for the leadership, dedication, and significant contributions of our school principles to our student achievement, our school success, and our communities. The district would like to acknowledge and thank all of our building principles, assistant principles, and our house

27:58

principles for their enthusiasm and unwavering commitment to our students, teachers, staff, and families and the work that you do every single day. So, thank you for that.

>> So, your month is starting tomorrow. >> So, remember to use that.

28:14

>> Uh the next one, I just got back this afternoon from the New York State Council School Superintendent uh fall summit. uh variety of presentations um and information.

I will coales that into a summary and get that to you of the things that that I learned. Uh we talked

28:29

about some things about uh finance at the federal level and at the state level. Some things good, some things bad, but we'll see as as time goes on.

So, I'll have more information for you uh coming up soon. Uh community health update um and overview.

Obviously, we

28:46

had a case of typhoid fever in one of our elementary schools. At this point, there is only the single identified case.

Uh, and the individual is asymptomatic, which is good. Uh, we have procedures in place um at the at Gildland Elementary to take care and

29:02

address this issue um and prevent any potential uh spread if there was any. Um, and the individual has been cleared by the Department of Health and their physician.

Uh the next uh we have a visit from Senator Fehee. Uh she will be at Westmir

29:18

Elementary tomorrow and I'll be touring around with her and Dr. Beanie um around our elementary school tomorrow at about 11:30ish.

So we thank her for coming to see our kids. Uh the next one, employee recognition ceremony.

We're excited to announce that this year's employee

29:34

recognition ceremony will be held at the start of our next board meeting which is on Tuesday, October 21st, 2025. Uh the reception will be held at beginning at 6:30.

Uh following the ceremony will be our regularly scheduled October board meeting which will promptly start at

29:50

7:00. So congratulations to our people who will be recognized and that will be coming in October.

>> All right. Thank you.

>> Thank you. And now board president information.

Item A, New York State Boards Association 2025, the proposed

30:06

resolutions. earlier this month um they released the proposed resolutions.

Everyone should have voted at this point. I believe we received the Google forms and um also for board of education policy review the following policy

30:21

exhibit and regulations are presented for information and discussion and you should have those. I don't know how many there are.

There's >> a lot I say like a dozen >> and again those are just for review. or we was okay just for review and then um

30:39

school business management action items. >> Uh thank you.

I have several items for your consideration tonight. Uh the first are extra classroom activity funds reports uh for the quarterly state quarterly statement ending June 30th 2025 and the annual statement for the 202425 school year.

30:55

>> Okay. Uh can I get a motion to um accept the proposal where we're at?

Meredith second. Tara, any questions or comments?

All those in favor? Passes.

8 Z. >> Uh, thank you.

My next are our federala

31:11

flow through funds agreements uh that we have to issue uh with all to all of our partners. >> All right.

Motion to approve the IDA flow. Um, so that's Katie.

Second, Nina. Any questions or comments?

All those in favor? Passes 8 Z.

31:27

>> Thank you. My next item is a resolution to correct the 2025 2026 tax rule uh for two tax bills that were uh had error clerical errors in them.

>> Okay. Motion to approve the application for corrected tax rules.

Pete second. Kim, any questions or comments?

31:43

Those in favor? Passes 8 through.

>> Uh thank you. My next item is a resolution to uh award the environmentally friendly ice melt bid to site one landscape.

>> Okay. Can I get a motion to award the bid for environmentally friendly ice

31:59

melts? Um Kim, second, Rebecca.

Any questions or comments? All those in favor?

>> Passes 800. >> Uh thank you.

My next item is an internship agreement with Bingmpington University uh for the placement of students for internship and clinical experiences.

32:15

>> Okay. Um motion to I didn't know we had that actually.

Motion to approve the agreement with Bingington University. Mary the second.

Any questions or comments? >> Question.

Oh, Peter. It's a 5-year agreement.

We're okay with that. Uh, it was reviewed by our council.

Okay.

32:31

>> Maybe that's why I've never seen it. Okay, cool.

Um, any other questions or comments? All those in favor?

Passes 800. Uh, thank you.

My next uh item, sorry, uh, is a scholarship in the memory of Christine Rose Cochran. Uh,

32:47

she was a girls soccer coach who, uh, tragically passed away. This will be a $500 scholarship awarded annually to a senior member of the girls soccer team who's a student who exemplifies leadership, service to others, and a strong work ethic both on and off the field.

>> Uh motion to approve the uh scholarship.

33:06

I don't even remember where we were. It sounds like Katie and Nina.

Any questions or comments? All those in favor?

80. >> Thank you.

My final item are uh donations. Uh we have a whirlpool

33:22

twodoor refrigerator with a top loading freezer. Uh donated to the FMS science department by Doug Hennessy.

Uh Christopher Manforti donated uniforms for the girls volleyball team and Chris and Marissa TCO donated graphing calculators uh to the high school. >> Wow.

Thank you. That's very nice.

Um

33:39

motion to accept the donations. Peter second.

Kim. Any questions or comments?

All those in favor? 80.

Thank you again to the members of our community. Superintendent action items.

>> Okay. I have one item today, the co-curricular club approval.

Resolve the

33:54

board approved the following requests to form co-curricular clubs. The Gilden High School French Club, Mr.

Callahan, Farnsworth Middle School French Club, Beverly Bodet, and the Farnsworth Middle School Zelda Clan, Mr. Flynn.

>> Okay. A motion to approve the request

34:10

for co-curricular clubs. Um Kim, second, Rebecca, any questions or comments?

All those in favor? passes 8 Z.

And then board president action items. Um we would like to have a special board meeting to um set our board goals.

Is

34:29

everyone I think already agreed to that? Do we need to vote on it to have a special meeting?

>> No. No.

Okay. I'm getting just nuts.

No. >> No.

But it would be a special meeting. So we would have to advertise it in

34:45

advance once we set the date. So, it's just an advertising at this point.

So, >> cool. >> If you want to make the motion, you can or you can just >> I think we should make a motion.

Make it official. Okay.

>> Meredith second. Terra, any questions or comments?

No. All those in favor to have

35:01

a special board meeting to set our board goals. 8 Z.

Okay. Um, so the place to start would probably be to see if Michelle or Kim, not sure which one, could send us uh an email, like a Google poll, right, to see our availability.

Thank you. Um, and also the old board

35:18

goals, right? The ones that we're working from would be great.

>> Thank you. >> Board committee reports audit.

I'm sorry. Audit Matt, sorry.

>> Audit. Um, we we met on September 17th.

Um, we don't have another meeting

35:33

scheduled, but we kind of went over everything that we we we went over the audit. >> The fruits of your labor.

Okay. Great.

>> Yeah. >> Business practices.

>> Okay. What happened?

35:49

>> Nothing. >> There's there's no chair yet.

But >> Oh, there's no chair. It hasn't been scheduled.

>> Okay. >> Should we We should probably schedule one soon.

>> Mhm. >> We will probably soon.

>> So, who's going to do it? Cuz it was Judy, wasn't it?

>> No. No.

It was Terra. I I will schedule

36:04

when we need to help. >> Oh, okay.

>> I'll schedule when we need to hold one. >> Yeah.

Andrew. Yeah, Andrew schedules.

>> Tori will schedule. >> Okay.

>> How could you forget? >> Sorry.

I did. I know.

I'm really sorry. I remember that was like you had just started.

>> I just started like okay sure

36:20

>> okay DEI committee we met last >> we did >> 24th 24th. >> Does anyone want to give an update?

I can try. Thank you Dina.

>> All right. Um so it was the introductory meeting and we welcomed new uh members of the committee and um Dan Mayberry as

36:38

well on the committee and um outlined some of the goals that the DI committee is going to be addressing. um and announced the new subcommittees that or members of the subcommittees that that would be broken up into.

Um and the subcommittees are research, community engagement and and communications and

36:54

student voice. Um so the first meeting basically consisted of just introducing the purpose of the committee in many different forms as well as relating it to the um new state portrait of a graduate that incorporates the DEI the

37:09

culturally responsive um goals that are relevant to uh DEI. So anything else to add in?

>> Nope. That was fabulous.

Thank you, Nina. Yeah, that was a good meeting.

Um okay. And are there any new what?

Oh,

37:25

policy. >> Policy.

Communications. >> Did I skip communications?

>> My bad. Communications.

>> Okay. We uh will be having our first meeting on October 7th at 5:30.

>> Take it away, Peter. >> Policy met on September 22nd.

Reviewed a

37:42

lot of what you have tonight for first reads. Couple that we're recommending to resend.

And we do not have another meeting currently scheduled. I have to say of all the policy meetings I've been to, that was super productive.

So, kudos because you were the new chair. >> Thank you.

37:57

>> All right. Any um public comments come in while we've been meeting?

Let me also check my email. >> I do not have any.

>> Okay. Um and then board issues, ideas, and

38:12

sharing. Does anybody have anything?

If not, >> I have something really short. >> Go ahead.

I have a connection for a community school. This is a woman who set up a community school in Albany.

So, um I'm just not sure what to ask her to come and do with us if she could zoom

38:30

me. I I'm not sure.

So, but I just want to put it out there that I >> That's great. I I actually like to learn more about it.

I I think we'll probably um that would be something that comes out of our board goals meeting. >> Okay.

So, after that we'll Okay. Okay.

38:45

Great. I'll let her know.

>> Kind of thing. Yeah.

Her name is Karen Alford. She was uh she worked for United Federation of Teachers, which is New York City Schools, but then she comes up to Albany in this area a lot to help um facilitate community schools.

>> Thank you very much.

39:00

>> You're welcome. >> Uh anything else before I go?

Go ahead. >> So, I wanted to say even though he's not here, thank you to Matthew Grenard for coming tonight.

Um I have spoken to him before and various members of both of the other boards. Um, and I'm glad that

39:17

this is getting pushed forward to find finally kind of have some some board outreach between the three boards. Um, especially because Guilderland doesn't really have a central place that we gather.

I think it's so important that all of our

39:34

municipal services kind of come together to serve the community in the best capacity that we can. So, I wanted to thank Matthew and say that I'm really excited to hopefully talk to all of you more about the possibilities of board

39:50

liaison to the other boards. So, it's something that I ran on.

It's something that I'm really passionate about. So, if you have questions, let me know.

I can I just resp I think >> I'm not opposed to it at all, but we did

40:06

try to have a partnership of some sort with the town a little while back and were met with complete silence. So I guess I'm just curious again not against it as to why now because we I mean we really tried, Marie tried, we tried and

40:24

it I'm just curious as to how this is going to work. I think part of that might be that there's two new people involved as executives and organizations of the three.

So, I think that might be part of it. >> Yeah, that's that's a good point.

>> I'm not saying that is, but I'm saying

40:40

>> No, I mean, I'm all for it. It just has to be like a group effort, not just specific because if it's if it's not everyone vested in wanting to do it, then it's >> So, I think we should probably consider adding it as an agenda item so that

40:55

everybody can say their piece. I would probably piggyback off of the some of the things that you've said um and afford Dan also the opportunity to tell us what he's already done because some things have been sort of happening in terms of communication with other

41:11

boards. He's been pretty proactive.

So, um can we decide now to have it as an agenda item or propose it as an agenda item and then Dan will talk about it. >> Okay.

So, is there anybody that's opposed to discussing it as an agenda item? No, I definitely think >> No, I think love to discuss.

41:28

>> Great. So, we'll add it for as an agenda item.

Thank you, >> Rebecca. Did I pick on you?

>> Did you raising your hand? >> I was raising my hand.

Sorry. Yeah.

I have a very um quick thing. Um so, uh all teachers are mandated reporters.

41:43

There's a new mandated reporter um training update that's um mandatory by the end of November 2026 on implicit bias and um specifically recognizing child abuse and neglect in children with um intellectual or special intellectual

41:59

disabilities or special needs. Um it's very brief because I know all of us had to do like a rather lengthy one.

Um but this one is very brief and really targeted just on those two things. Um I did it myself and it was really great.

Um, so you have a year, but um, you know, the sooner you get it done, it's

42:15

over with and you learn something. >> Is that what What website is that?

Is that um, >> it's on it's on New York statemandated repreporter.org. >> Okay.

Thank you. >> Okay.

Um, and >> it's my turn, I think. So, um, actually, Perth, I wanted to circle back to some of the ideas that you brought up last

42:31

time. So, the first one I'd like to, um, circle back to is, uh, will probably require a mic to answer, but it could be you, Dan.

Um, I'm just wondering where we are on the cameras for the the um honors art student.

42:46

>> Sorry, Mike. >> Thank you.

>> Thank you. You know better.

>> Smart man. >> We should offer you snacks.

Thank you. >> Right now, we have a plan in place where all all of the art teachers, not just

43:03

the AP art teachers, can go and get access to an unlocking device for their classes. can unlock the yonder pouches so the kids can use their phones.

>> Awesome. >> And can use them for whatever they need them to.

>> Great. >> And then as soon as they're done, we just ask again that they keep them

43:18

secure or lock them back up and return it. >> Um, we are investigating a more permanent solution with digital cameras, but right now that's just in the investigation phase.

>> Awesome. Thank you so much for moving quickly on that.

>> Thank you. >> Thank you for bringing it up.

>> Wait, wait, wait, wait. Okay.

Sorry,

43:34

mayor. So, the Ultimate Enterprise article basically blasted us for not asking why teachers weren't using their phones to take these photos.

So, can we maybe address that? I thought about it as a potential alternative.

But the only

43:51

problem is first off, in the case of Miss Gawkley, for example, she would have to take pictures of at least 20 students like 20 students artwork and keep that in a safe place. And that is a lot for her to have on her hands alone.

And then second, there's no really fast

44:07

way to transfer it over to the students. Airdrop is one great thing, but I'm a Samsung, for example.

So Apple can't airdrop to Samsung. Samsung can do it the other way around.

Just putting that out there. >> Well, and it doesn't matter if it's in a yonder pouch.

You can't do that. >> Yeah, that's another thing, too.

44:22

>> And you would get it when you leave. >> You have internet access.

>> This doesn't block. >> You would get it when you leave the building.

You would get all of the graphics at once. >> You wouldn't get it if you emailed it.

So if you email it, the resolution does go down pretty significantly. So I thought of that as a potential

44:38

alternative, but the only way we could potentially, in my opinion, see that being something that's reliable is a connect them cable to cable. Again, how are we going to do that with the yonder pouches, B, we airdrop it or something which isn't accessible to all students like me, for example.

44:55

>> And I don't think that burden should be put on a teacher. >> I can't see.

I just wanted to answer the question because it never was >> to that. I just ignored it.

>> Not only that, but the article >> in that situation, you're asking a teacher to use their personal device.

45:12

Yeah. >> And their data, right?

>> That >> that's not anything that >> for those of us who can't consider, which I don't think it would be. >> And they got a plan.

you run into the possibility of a teacher accidentally through that process sharing their personal cell phone number to students

45:28

and and or it just opens up a scenario where it's it's not really a good idea safe idea for teachers >> or you can accidentally hit the wrong picture like if we're being honest I've done that before you know meant to send >> you send the wrong picture to the wrong child space yeah I mean

45:43

>> I've done that a lot >> can of worms are you listening to on enterprise the answer is can of worms can of worms >> I missed that so thank Thank you for bringing that to our attention. My turn.

Um, okay. Also, Peter or I mean, uh, Parth, uh, let's circle back.

Sorry,

45:58

maybe you guys should. Let's circle back to your idea that you mentioned last time about having two exeicio student board members.

>> Yeah, of course. So, it's something I also wanted to bring up today as well and like talk about a little bit because I attended the stu exe official board

46:15

member training a couple weeks ago and I learned a lot there. I got to see what other schools are doing and I noticed that most other schools I only met one other student who was in a similar situation as me.

Most other schools have more than one exeicio member. They most

46:30

that I saw had two. I personally think two is enough.

Like just having two students like one other student right here helping me out for example. But some schools even had committees and these committees have been working for years.

That committee, for example, was telling me that they're able to do things like implement X-ray machines at

46:45

the entrances to scan for like things like vapes, electronics outside of the yonder pouches, stuff like that. Um, improve projects like the walls and improving like internal improvements.

So, I'm not saying that we need a committee per se. I'm not vouching for a committee, but I'm saying that at least

47:02

more than one student is able to accomplish a lot more than what one student alone could do. >> Does anyone have any questions?

So, did you find that was the majority or like I think the policy does that differentiate the number of students in the buildings in the district?

47:18

>> Um, do you mind explaining in like another way? >> I I thought that I read something about the policy that the number of students in a district would differentiate that the number of students on the on the board.

So, is that something you saw that did you happen to see more some districts tended to have more than one

47:34

rather than other districts? So what I saw, I couldn't talk to every single um student there, but I saw Bethlehem for example has two student reps.

Skenctity had was the one I was talking about with the committee of representatives, but again they have a very very large school, especially

47:50

compared to us. >> I just I'm reading the law and it says at least one student.

At least one. So I think two would be within the >> Shen only had one and Shen's class size is much larger.

>> Huge. Yeah.

>> Yeah. Well, we need to beat Shen.

I

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mean, >> it looks like ALB has two, but one's an alternate. >> Gotcha.

>> Okay. Um Okay.

So, what would be next steps? Is it something that we hand off to the policy committee?

Is it something that we make an official agenda item?

48:22

>> I'm thinking policy committee. >> I'm thinking we probably should take it at policy committee first to make sure that >> right >> if that we're addressing it in the policy if the policy prohibit prohibits us or not.

I don't know. I need to read it closer.

>> Call for an addendum. >> Potentially.

Yes. So, we would probably

48:38

start there. I would suggest.

>> Great. So, let's do this.

>> Anybody close to doing that? >> All right.

Cool. Sure.

>> Anything else? Any other board ideas sharing?

>> Okay. Um Oh, yeah.

48:53

>> Just basic happy news. >> Um, sixth graders are having a ball so far at FMS >> and I seem to have been over there a lot when they're doing stuff.

So, they had their club mashup, which was insanity essentially. Um, and then they had their

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sixth grade fun night, which is always the best night in the world because it's their first taste of freedom. And so, I just want to like say great job to like the sixth grade groups and things like that.

They've been just

49:26

>> very nice, >> knocking it out. So, >> awesome.

Um, and I would like to thank Dan. Um Dan has been keeping us apprised of his schedule, but the community should be aware that this gentleman is really like I think one of his goals for the entire year was to attend as many

49:42

events as possible and meet as many people as possible, but he's literally you should see his week. It's jam-packed with activities.

Um and so we appreciate that effort, Dan. And you've also attended the football games which get super crowded and loud.

Yeah. After after two ice cream socials,

49:59

>> right, the same night. Two ice cream socials and then a football game >> and one of which he actually scooped at.

>> You scooped. Oh my goodness.

All right. Very cool.

>> Gildon Elementary is a contest with Dr. Lockwood.

>> Who won? >> I say I won, but he said he was scooping

50:14

out of two different boxes. So, >> we'll call it a draw, I guess.

>> Well, thank you to Dr. Lockwood as well.

Thank you. Um, do we want to reconvene or reconvene executive session or are we good?

Because it's an option if anybody needs it. We're good.

50:31

>> All right. I just thought it.

All right. Motion to adjurnn.

Nina. Second.

Kim. Any questions or comments?

Nope. Everybody in favor?

8 Z. Thank you everyone.