Board of Education, Regular Meeting

1. 4:32With the active line. I'm standing for I aliance to the flag of the United for which it stands. One nation under justice for all. Thank you.
2. 5:04Lastly, Mark Pace here. Amanda Grubler here. Kirstston Gustoson here. Matthew Macker here. Leia Walker you.
3. 5:28I make a motion to accept agenda as Second. All in favor?
4. 5:38Now we have our student representative first off I'm going to give a big competed recently and is going to region and also third. So two of our are on May 29th. Um pretty sure they over two days. I could be wrong though. Dalton, a high school in New York. Uh, or sorry, a van for transportation, and soon, uh, we have our AP exams.
5. 6:20We self-studied AP tests. Um, the, uh, and AP US History. I don't remember when AP after that. Um, now for events coming 15th. Um, that's during the school day, multicultural uh club. Um, there'll be representing various cultures, ran by about uh, different countries and Um, our meet the board candidate night be hosting it here.
6. 7:08Um, the student next Friday is the National Honor the auditorium. Um, yeah. And then as up, uh, prom is May night will be June 5th. Um, and the personal uh thing to talk about. Uh, I music scholarship or competition and um, never been selected as a finalist scholarship go to places like Giuliard It's a very uh prestigious scholarship hopefully the only saxoponist to have excited to uh perform. But that's it.
7. 8:16Okay. Board reports. Policy committee. Committee updates. So, we uh worked on a exeicio student member of the board um that's up for first read tonight. We but nothing substantial, more like just will be ready for a second read next policy, all the attorney comments have the first read next week.
8. 8:5674750R which had credit requirements for supported by the way that New York State credits obviously continue. The org chart which will be ready meeting after that. Um and then we let's voting procedures is up for first read policy committee recommends that we that the updates are in place for this were changed on there were we added early voting language, um updated at least 10 days in advance. um and chairperson is to call the polls open majorly different, but just making sure truly is happening in our district and as possible.
9. 10:03Policy development and adoption and the move more efficiently through more Um, and we'll jump back into tackling our next meeting. Thank you.
10. 10:27Okay. Facilities. There's there's no report at this time. This time. Thank you. Um I did want to and Mr. Rubinitz for helping us put for teacher appreciation week. Um also behalf of the Hudson City School extend our deepest thank to the students every day with dedication, never been more complex or more vital.
11. 11:11Level, you're not only educating minds, curiosity, and helping students discover school is more than a place to learn. And to grow. And that's because of you. Hours, the personal sacrifices, and the And we are grateful this week and every to make our schools stronger and our Yeah. Thank you.
12. 11:49Presentation. Good evening, members of the board, So, thank you so much for having us one over um the status report for our Hudson be repetitive. Some of these slides you indicators for accountability status again. You have that in front of you if want to encourage you to look at um all elementary level but also at the high for obvious reasons.
13. 12:49Um in red you can and civi civic readiness are um both of are fairly new but not so new. Um we look at these indicators as one of the So this is something that we will improvement plans that we have um year we have to do the same thing. So we then as you can see our Hudson Senior improvement receive support locally.
14. 13:40So basically, School District, um provide the supports have um a quality education for all of flags that I'm going to point out that 2526. So this is um something that I designations and you can see that in the bottom portion of it um district-led support and I have gone over this as districts and where they of the groups of students um named in of them meet the accountability status see that it is circled in red and we designation is because we don't have a particular group category.
15. 15:05So in terms of the designations, you can are the different levels um the three and four and it takes into account graduation rate, ELP, chronic at level particular slide is um some of the red before to be very very mindful of not you know mindful about all our students. Um to the numbers that are in their graduation rate are at a one. At a one.
16. 16:09And so that makes our all break it down by the different are not making the progress to rise to a attention to all of our students. Um, So, that's something that we will be lots of planning and preparation and teachers and administrators to address concerns. And now I will hand it over to school, Mr. Derek Reen, who will go over
17. 17:09Thanks, Dr. Corey Torres. Um, so like regions data. Um, before getting into hate saying since CO, I'm sick of saying regents, like June 2020, and 21 there have to take them. in 22 and 23 all the 2023 65 was still passing but we could students would still get credit for for class and then this past June was the or higher without a waiver so that um when we go over the region's data as a building at the proficiency level least.
18. 18:10Um ELA, which is 11th grade was at 75% not could do better.
19. 18:27math. So, algebra was at 48 and our Um, and for all of our tests, like we teachers look at the data. They look at successful with, the ones that they see how can we how how we can make you see our math data as a district, and Um, this coming year we have, I believe, coming in the ninth grade like being math or like a foundations of algebra. for for algebra 1. Um, and we're trying students.
20. 19:16Um, it's a challenge with we've been struggling with as a district unfortunately. Algebra 2 environment 80 58%. Earth science 63 chemistry hats off to Mr. Antonelli at 71 physics at these, there's been new Regis exams that supposed to be a new US history exam. remember the tragedy in Buffalo, they but canceled it because some of those students.
21. 20:21So, the first time they year, algebra 1 was offered in early geometry, and earth and space science all new exams um formatted differently subjects. US history 77%. So, our graduation rate last um regions could have played some part third year in the high school in looking students in that cohort list weren't um for varying reasons.
22. 21:22grades and attendance and with the data biggest factor is is student attendance Brenamman is overseeing and trying to um things in place that we're doing things we've made a lot of headway. there's doing in every building in regards to think that is going to be a huge like we have each building weekly students that are chronically absent. sending them to houses on on a regular making headway with with getting them to trying everything within our power to do it.
23. 22:25Um right now that number is looking rate. Um we meet with them all year long. If they need me to they're getting a little more senioritis them as a class right at the end of the in if they're if they're not um doing obviously communicate with parents, let can make as the high school principal is before graduation saying their child upfront and honest with parents and and we have made a a lot of headway with three that I'm thinking of um that speak.
24. 23:33So, some things we're looking at to um region scores or graduation rate. Um Bear and I are working on master some staff if it's available to to the students and in struggling subject really math. Um, we're looking at differently. So, for a long time we've pre-calc. We might look to we wouldn't algebra 2 because it's similar and then looking at that within the master changes with science and earth science really struggled with with that exam a that was offered it for our ninth here for a while you might remember that ago they changed it to life science rate.
25. 24:47Um, so sequence might be for a science, chemistry, and then whatever I know you've heard a lot about that, admit the high school needs to do a lot Um it's difficult with here because we many different subject subject levels. meetings are set up like ninth grade Um so if there's a team meeting, you're different lists. So I plan on meeting w make that um a more productive process and then frequency of meetings with our class.
26. 25:47Our freshman class is a class matter how much we tell them, we can't everything matters when they get to the you're going to retake it or be here for and we do couple meetings a year look at doing especially with the ninth year. I know you want to see like what honors or college credit and our AP classes. advanced placement for science. We did biology environmental. It alternates for just a year. And then these are all of our questions.
27. 27:13graduation rate? I can get it for you.
28. 27:19Thomas. Uh, personally, I've noticed uh English language learners in the school curious after seeing that 20% graduation that uh a priority for the high school English lang language learners affected graduation rate?
29. 27:41Yeah, it's lowered the and that's a point of of our school trying to improve that. brand new ENL teachers in the high different than the ones we previously like who they co-e with. for the high school. at and concerned about and it is ever like right after the election stopped recently um very good English some of them in some of their classes ENL teachers and special area teachers much support as we can.
30. 28:58I'd like to add that we're looking those students. So if they require three the minutes that are required by New English as a second language taught to fit that into the schedule. Sometimes requirements that the students have. So that it's um also a part uh part and the master scheduling piece. So if we deliver those services more students get the interventions that they some students come with zero English. Some may have already some English.
31. 29:58So is tested at when they come into the what where there you know where are they proficiency level and then based off of require to get English as a second graduation different for an English an English lang language learner enters different grade levels? Like if uh if needing to learn English, do they have their regions?
32. 30:42So, we got to look at formal schooling, right? and whether were that we can use as credits for our some of those credits over. If we cannot where they came. Okay. Yeah. And it's a and and parents we have to let them know years your child has in order to get to graduate. Um but yes it it's a race with
33. 31:29Are the are the regions all taken in native language?
34. 31:32They're all in English.
35. 31:37language. The English regions, they courses, in other um grade levels, it U my next question is I know our this year um instead of the living we can ex like if there's any might go or it's a new test and some district wanted Questar specialists that do science science, it's earth and space, too. to prepare for it. It's the way you're labs. Some districts wanted to see the do better, but we are assured that that Thank you.
36. 32:38Yeah. Any other questions?
37. 32:43Thank you very much. Thank you, Mr. Re. thank you to all the teachers on this hard work and I just want to recognize that you do. Thank you.
38. 33:24Good evening everyone. Uh Miss Ferry and presentation on the proposed budget That was me.
39. 33:55Sorry. Right. So, the vision emphasizes environment that values the diverse students. It highlights a commitment to learn, explore, and achieve emphasizes inclusivity and motivation potential as Blue Hawks and in their endeavors.
40. 34:29Our budget was built on the The first key is is in strengthening the involves enhancing the skills and administrators in guiding teaching and practices by providing professional leaders can be better influenced through to improve the outcomes for our Strengthen the instructional core. This between teachers, students and the element that three all three elements our schools can create better learning students.
41. 35:24Improve datadriven practice. decision making in schools. Our teachers performance data to identify the which allows them to tailor instruction all school environment for all means fostering a school culture that staff, and parent feels welcome and that enhances student engagement and members.
42. 36:13Increase monitoring and implementing systems to regularly assess accountable for clear expectations and monitoring all stakeholders are committed to improvement.
43. 36:40Tiered approach to school This strategy provides varying levels of For example, some students may require only need targeted supports. This tiered resources effectively and to help all The budget is intended to maintain general systems of support with a total budget 58,544,000. And now I will turn it over presentation.
44. 37:46Good evening and thank you for being tonight. Tonight we'll walk through the budget by examining major expenditure budget code series. This helps us goes, but how each part supports the schools. The budget account code is the accounts. And specific allocations will and website.
45. 38:27In order to create a balanced revenue to align with the increase in the proposed budget is primarily due to balance and reserves. Assigned fund has intentionally set aside from prior year, a larger portion of that balance and help maintain program stability. specific reserves to manage costs one-time revenue sources and reflect a budget while addressing current 58,544,000.
46. 39:27As part of a fiscally responsible expenses through attrition by not retire or leave or vacancies. This levels carefully, align resources with continuing to support essential programs
47. 40:02Now I'll go into definitions of the support, our general budget. The 1000 operations and services that make the board of education, superintendent's human resources, and the maintenance and are the backbone functions that keep the schools are safe, well-managed, and sound.
48. 40:44Next is the 2000 series classroom teachers, teaching assistance, services, libraries, technology, programs through Boseies. This series budget and directly impacts our students
49. 41:19The 3000 series is Sorry. It includes our con transportation is essential to getting and ensures access to learning, sports, extracurricular activities.
50. 41:51The SN 7000 series covers community school's reach into the community. This engagement efforts, youth services, and These programs strengthen our and reflect our role as a hub for support.
51. 42:16And finally, the 9000 series service. This includes retirement system security, and other required benefits leases. These are essential commitments facilities for long-term use.
52. 42:43Each series in the budget plays an success. By reviewing these budget areas is being used strategically, you for your attentiveness. So we hope better understanding of how financial allocated and together through clear we can ensure that every dollar supports educational opportunities for all on um online on the website for your Thank you. Any questions?
53. 43:39budget book or just the presentation? Okay.
54. 43:50Right.
55. 43:53make a motion to open budget hearing for at 639. Second, all in favor?
56. 44:08Okay. Oh, so my first question is I'm guidance and there's a $200,000 decrease $218,000 decrease in total guidance. I'm guidance if you counselors. Okay. And is that a loss in vacancy you.
57. 44:44There was an excess amount of money wasn't being used. Okay. All right.
58. 44:58Can one of you just speak a little bit heard from folks in the public who maybe know we know that healthcare costs went went up. There was a need to increase same time we're doing a capital speak to the folks that maybe are approving the budget and approving a responsible.
59. 45:30rationale for pursuing a capital project So in the light of current uh budget fund, it's crucial to prioritize a compelling reasons related to long-term strategy.
60. 45:52First, our district is is increasingly failing. safety and the functionality of our to provide a conducive learning capital project now will help address into more significant costly repairs in future.
61. 46:20Additionally, it is essential to coming off. This situation provides a project without imposing additional taxpayers. The construction time time begin until the summer of 2026. approvals and this schedule will not challenges we face
62. 46:59capital project necessitates that we allow construction to commence in the 2026. Since it takes approximately a construction, acting now is prudent and meet our infrastructure
63. 47:27undertaking a capital project should proactive approach helps keep our taxes accumulation of significant deferred larger or more costly projects in the
64. 47:48Moreover, significant renovations, significantly exceed what can be school budget. Prioritizing ongoing securing dedicated funding through a necessity. It also aligns with our
65. 48:16Last, the New York State offers building projects, which allows us to offset feasibility. By leveraging the state necessary infrastructure improvements responsible.
66. 48:39budget proposal, pursuing a capital district's future. It addresses urgent favorable financial circumstances, and more significant costs down the line. action now, we risk jeopardizing our financial stability in the future.
67. 49:17Yes. Y' what positions are not going to be that retirements are not retirement those jobs are.
68. 49:40Miss Christie, Miss Brooks and Miss working on this and yes, once it's will give the information. this. We we're planning to start working We've looked at it a little, but we've the proposed budget done.
69. 50:10wrong, but the last time we were here, I the 30th. I believe it was the 30th, but course, I didn't have time to look at it that I should be able to ask I went to another budget meeting last couldn't see what was on the screen. It frustration.
70. 50:39I'm a tax. I own two pay city tax on. I know what's going on. budget process like this before. And I coming. So the vote like vote is coming. the information that I really need to be that is information till 3:15. I didn't have whole process is a little screwy here
71. 51:20Thank you. Understand your frustration.
72. 51:29Um, sorry. I guess my question is when community questions and budget hearing?
73. 51:41meetings. Uh there's a meeting on Firehouse. Uh and Tuesday, May 13th in
74. 51:53Okay. Thank you.
75. 52:03Are there any further questions or Okay, I make a motion to close the at 648. favor. No need for executive session at
76. 52:33I make a motion to accept the agenda items 8 through eight. Sorry, A 1 through 8 and B 1 through 4.
77. 52:55Second.
78. 53:03favor? Thank you, Lesie. Nobody signed up. Thank
79. 53:36Tonight's superintendence report will excellence. So tonight we have four that each of them could not be here Mosley from Operation our school districts. She ensures that art and other enrichment by giving them access to scholarships.
80. 54:22she exposed our students to city in December exposed our students to for um our senior government day was wonderful and it was So, Miss Mosley through Operation Unite district to make sure that our support our teachers, staff, and
81. 55:02So, spotlighting Miss Mosley tonight. Next, we have Jennifer Nixon. do this, but I did. So, I was in school dance where she was with her son learned was that during these budget going to a state all I need from you is $50 to enter the
82. 55:40uh she's gotten the money for to pay for us during, you know, these budget times. the bus and I felt like, you know, this of us during this time, you know, with expensive it costs to for a school bus they need to be. So, I decided to that. Wayne aids at the high school time for our
83. 56:34conversation with the superintendent. He safety. He chaperones, he goes above and students necessary. And I felt like I needed to above and beyond. He advocates for our would say, "Well, this is what's going student's name here, but they may be We need to look into this."
84. 57:09So, he's that. And last but not least, Mr. Larry hours for chaperoni. no. Mr. Rearen says when it comes to I was walking through the halls and I Mr. Stevenson, you know, you're the only relationships with our students and he students.
85. 57:47And I'm spotlighting Stevenson for going above and beyond for spotlight on excellence. I do have would here um I did spotlight her and I'd like picture taken with the board since we we did when you were out sick. take the picture with Dr. KT, we could a Thank you.
86. 59:20This is teacher appreciation week and we amazing educators who light up our thank you, thank you, thank you teachers. So MCS MCSEs celebrated Earth and um Senator Hin Hin Henshi was there time believe um a tree to the school and um the courtyard um to Mia Johnson for the tree and we got a free fence from Roma was able to experience um the planting
87. 1:00:28some reminders. Uh, conversations with superintendent from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m. uh Youth. I want to let everyone know that slots. So, please tell your families and on to MCSCS in the fall because we have preK.
88. 1:00:59You may find the district building website. On last Friday, I was a uh I our MBK great opportunity. Our MBK fellows they were asked questions and and and had great speakers for MBK fellows awards.
89. 1:01:43I was accompanied by and and our and the librarian. And then submitted by Mr. Brenamman to Cassa for by reading to the students every Wednesdays when they have the uh the he was chosen and he was given an award and Hudson City School Governor's was held at city hall.
90. 1:02:28Upcoming events May 12 Firehouse at 5:00 pm. Tuesday, May 13th, school cafeteria at 5:00 pm which contract perform performance contract. happened the last time is when we have a different look, but we plan to make presentations so that those who attend
91. 1:03:07And then May 20th, we have oh Thursday, candidates night that is hosted by our from uh we will have uh the budget vote night. You can also see there's a QR information. May 20th from 11:00 a.m. to 8:00 PM. And
92. 1:03:45Okay. New business. Is these the um ones you was the um the one that we need or that tonight so that we can have everything just to reiterate what I said before um, in the in the attorney, so in the returning review, the only changes to recommendations that we would be so I got this right.
93. 1:04:30scanners with voting machine. Very update that just says that ballot exception to the use of voting machines they're unavailable. We added language failure. That's the only acceptable why available.
94. 1:04:56Okay, you can right that one. Yeah. are we looking to approve that with to approve that with those edits? It's attached here. There's one that's in the the attorney language. I just wanted to
95. 1:05:17Got it. Okay. Cool. So, make a motion to 2 voting procedures uh with revisions
96. 1:05:29Second. All in favor?
97. 1:05:41Yeah. The other uh the other policies action today, right? Yeah. All right. um the new 2410 include other members of the community. yeah, I'm really excited to get that up know what you guys think.
98. 1:06:14Can um sorry, can I ask questions about the student uh member policy or the um I policy, it refers to the student student president. Technically, the president. And I think that would be an officers are not the student presidents but it's the student council
99. 1:06:49Um I also had a question about in here meetings uh would result in something a student council uh if the student the vice president attends in absentee uh rule refers to the president being on the board. So, if the president vice president steps up for those three the representative in uh or up for clarification on that would be I think missed three or more that there would be
100. 1:07:41find the exact language here. Um, I the just didn't show for three meetings and okay, that we would have a conversation step into that role who was able to be reason with a replacement is a very
101. 1:08:02then the other thing was leaving the board president. Um, I don't know if leave early, I just kind of left. And pre-approved permission to leave early like if the representative needs to think in the moment is is fine or just a we did
102. 1:08:32the draft that's public, but you'll see that the meeting um that you have with agenda is set. So, um so you'll have the agenda and be able to formulate also be an appropriate time to, you to leave early, say, "Hey, I may need to long meeting." Yeah. Or, "I always need Yeah.
103. 1:09:08here, but is sort of insinuated is the they're elected at the end of a school next school year. And something that would be a thing for any other meetings, there are a couple I wanted to would be sat at the table. And I'm consider that possibility, if a representative wanted to attend over the meetings if they could potentially have consider that if it's a possibility.
104. 1:09:51and sorry. Oh um there is another piece a while ago referring to the policy representative is already supposed to be consulted on the creation of policy. in Bethlehem before every single one of the policy meetings. But for the future, include um that student representatives this piece of policy if it's not include as
105. 1:10:38policy I'm referring to, I can do that away. Um, I do think the uh the new charter does spell that out it's it's not here but it's in the if many tabs open as we were talking things charter we talked about opening the uh members. So we would actually have like leaders, students who wanted potentially committee that was those people.
106. 1:11:28to that already exists, referring to the representative is named like that can find it and I can find it for you if know. I feel like that piece of policy curious if you might want to consider student representative specific policy. way, that would be great. Yes, we're the policies are easier to find. that.
107. 1:12:09Okay. Thank you.
108. 1:12:15consistence items. The agenda items A
109. 1:12:20Second. All in favor. Thank
110. 1:12:28Okay. Lesie, no one still right. Uh, you. Board discussion. Well, there's discussion.
111. 1:12:52add? That's it.
112. 1:12:58dates. Audit committee meeting Friday, district office conference room. Budget presentation Monday, May 12th, Facilities Committee Community Capital proposed 2025 2026 budget presentation 2025 at 5:00 PM in the high school Policy Committee meeting Tuesday, May library. Special board of education p.m. in the high school library. Annual election. Okay.
113. 1:14:05So at this time is executive session. We 7:10 and there'll be no further Thank you. Second.
114. 1:14:29Thank you all for being here.

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