Avery Forcier-Rodabaugh

The regular meeting commenced with the acceptance of the agenda. During the Privilege of the Floor segment, the Board congratulated a staff member on receiving the NYLA School Librarian of the Year award and discussed the helpfulness of Cabinet board notes. Consensus items approved included the minutes of the prior regular meeting and the Treasurer's Reports for June and July 2025, as well as the Internal Claims Auditor Report for August 2025. Key financial actions involved establishing budgets for the 2025-2026 fiscal year, approving numerous budget increases and decreases across various CoSer programs, and approving transfers within Computer Services. The Board resolved to accept the RPC/TAC grant budget of $1,340,573 for the second year of a five-year term. Purchasing actions included awarding a mini bid for a new transit van to C. Basil Ford, Inc. and awarding a mini bid for a landscape truck to Ferrario Ford. The Board also approved a lease agreement with Corning Community College for GST BOCES STEM Academy space spanning July 1, 2025, through June 30, 2028. Other items included accepting a donation of physical therapy equipment, opening a new club account for the Welding Club, requesting permission to switch banks for the Dental & Vision Checking Account, accepting the 2024-2025 External Audit Report, and awarding the bid for the 2025 Wildwood Campus Asphalt Replacement Project to Dalrymple Gravel & Contracting Co. Inc.

The meeting included the acceptance of the agenda and covered several key operational items. Financial actions were approved, involving budget increases and decreases for various CoSer programs for the 2025-2026 fiscal year, alongside specific transfers between budget codes. Personnel actions were resolved, encompassing approvals for new hires, salary changes, tenure area appointments, and temporary assignments. The Board President's report focused on simplified written goals, survey results timing, and focusing on employment areas for BOCES students. The Superintendent reported on merger study discussions involving Bradford, Dundee, Campbell Savona, and Watkins Glen districts, noting the upcoming public meeting and grant deadline. The Board also entered into Executive Session to discuss the employment history of particular persons.

The regular board meeting addressed several key items. The Privilege of the Floor segment included a discussion on a recent Legislative Update zoom call, focusing on the potential impact of lost state aid on component districts and projections for tax levy increases. A presentation was also given on the New York Inspires Initiative, detailing its phased implementation schedule up to 2029, and a proposed amendment to Commissioner's Regulations requiring instruction in climate education and personal finance. Consensus items covered the approval of previous minutes and Treasurer's/Auditor's reports for late 2025. The board also approved actions related to Finance, Personnel, and adopted a Board Policy regarding meetings conducted via videoconference. Finally, the board accepted the annual report for the School Library Systems and discussed connecting future reports to overarching board goals.

The meeting commenced with the acceptance of the agenda. Key discussion points included a briefing on the NYSSBA Conference, covering topics such as Financial Literacy, Regionalization, Mergers, Achieving Dignity for All, and Project-Based Learning, with specific emphasis on leveraging conference content. The Board President initiated a discussion regarding the Portrait of a Graduate initiative, focusing on success measurement and fact-based decision making. Consensus items approved included Treasurer's Reports for July and August 2025, the Internal Claims Auditor Report for September 2025, and subsequent Finance and Personnel actions. The President's Report stressed alignment between Board goals and employee execution, emphasizing transparent communication. The Superintendent's Report detailed efforts to engage student representatives, plans for regional training sessions, and updates on regional merger studies, including Bradford's process. The meeting included an Executive Session to discuss employment histories before adjourning.

Key discussions and resolutions included the acceptance of the agenda, a presentation on Professional Development and Growth concepts for school board members, and the welcoming of two new student board members. Consensus items approved included the minutes from the August 5, 2025 meeting and the Internal Claims Auditor Report for July 2025, which detailed several issues such as incorrect approval signatures, improper expense codes, and documentation discrepancies that were subsequently corrected. Significant finance actions involved establishing and increasing budgets within the General Fund for various CoSer programs, alongside approving budget decreases. Several Federal Fund establishments were approved, including grants for Teacher Centers, WIOA Title 2 programs, and the Smart Start grant. The Board also approved a lease agreement with Elmira College for space utilized by the New Visions Health Careers Exploration Program, accepted a donation for the Preschool Program, and authorized payment for certain membership dues. Furthermore, the Board designated itself as the Lead Agency for the $475,000 Capital Construction project at the Wildwood Campus, determining it to be a Type II action under SEQR, requiring no further review. Finally, numerous personnel actions were recorded, including resignations, tenure appointments, salary changes, increases/decreases in assignments, and probationary appointments for new staff.