Carolyn E. Mahar

The committee reviewed the findings of an internal audit regarding extraclassroom activity funds, including observations and recommendations for corrective action plans. Additionally, the external auditors initiated the year-end audit process, detailing the scope of services, the timeline for fieldwork, and the procedures for reviewing financial statements and district assets. Discussion also covered the implementation of new GASB 103 requirements for financial reporting and plans for issuing a new RFP for external audit services later in the year.

The committee meeting focused on a recap of the district's recent AI workshops for teachers, which introduced various AI programs to facilitate professional use. The primary discussion involved recommendations for integrating AI into the school curriculum. Key topics included developing clear guidelines for AI usage, focusing on human skills, ensuring student privacy and ethics, establishing community engagement through roundtables, and creating opportunities for AI literacy and professional development for staff.

This document presents the Rye Neck Union Free School District's Proposed Budget for the 2026-2027 school year. It outlines key financial details, including a proposed budget of $53,812,226 with a 2.41% spending increase and a 2.38% tax levy increase, maintaining tax cap compliance. The strategic goals for the budget period include ensuring tax cap compliance, maximizing collaboration, enhancing safety and security, offering diverse extracurricular opportunities, maintaining favorable class sizes, and expanding core course/elective offerings. It further details revenue sources, expenditure categories, and various program highlights across elementary, middle, and high school levels.

The Committee reviewed several sections of the Policy Manual, specifically policies 4321, 4325, 4327, 4770, and 4773, and recommended amendments to Policy 4321.2 to align with district practices. Further discussions led to recommendations for amending Policy 0320 regarding the Superintendent's evaluation tool, Policy 2150 concerning procedures for handling tie votes during the filling of Board vacancies, and Policy 5252 regarding Student Activities Funds Management.

The board meeting featured a volunteer program presentation and recognition of a student athlete. Key business included the third budget presentation for the 2026-2027 fiscal year, focusing on tax cap compliance, security, and educational programming. The Board approved the adoption of the proposed budget, property tax report card, and several policy updates, including revisions to policies on donations, automated external defibrillators, and school safety. Further actions involved the approval of the BOCES administrative budget, personnel appointments and resignations, ratification of a CSEA stipulation agreement, award of natural gas supply contracts, and acceptance of various grants and donations.