Casey L. Besimer

The Warwick Valley Central School District's plan focuses on emergency preparedness and safety, detailing procedures for risk reduction, violence prevention, and crisis response. It outlines communication protocols, roles of safety teams, and collaboration with local agencies. The plan includes guidelines for various emergency scenarios, staff training, and mental health support, ensuring a safe and secure environment for students and staff.

The strategic plan for Warwick Valley Central School District focuses on providing students with the necessary skills to thrive in the 21st century. Key areas include continuous improvement of instruction, data-driven enhancement of student performance, support for student success in home, school, and community, and fostering a culture where individuals are valued and engaged. The plan emphasizes a cycle of continuous improvement through planning, teaching, assessing, and reflecting, with community input shaping the District's strategy.

The Board appointed the District Board Clerk and administered the oath of office. The oath of office was administered to re-elected Board members. The Board nominated and elected the Board President and Vice President, followed by administering the oath of office to them. The Board approved a resolution to appoint Ex Officio Student Board Members. The consent agenda was voted on, including items such as designation of fund depositories, trust funds, authorizations, appointments, refunds or correction of taxes, minimum wage rate, mileage reimbursement rate, and staff student tuition rate. The District Special Education Plan and Committee on Special Education were addressed. The Board discussed Impartial Hearing Officers and the carryover of Board Committees. A Board member was nominated and elected as Delegate and Alternate to the Orange County School Boards Association, as well as to the New York State School Boards Association. Official District Newspapers were designated.

The meeting included updates on the New York State Distraction-Free Schools Law, which requires school districts to prohibit student access to internet-enabled communication devices during the school day. The Warwick Valley CSD is developing a new policy to align with the law, which will require all cellphones to be secured from bell to bell with limited exceptions. The board discussed capital projects, security enhancements, and committee reports, including updates from the Facilities Committee and the Health and Wellness Committee. Additionally, the board approved emergency transportation contracts, resolutions, memorandum of agreements, lease agreements, health plan agreements, internal audit reports, tax assessment reductions, change orders, and donations. They also approved retainer and consultant agreements, revisions to the WVCSD Organizational Chart, and FFA field trips and volunteers for 2025-2026.

The meeting included discussions and actions on various topics such as the BOCES budget vote and board member elections, treasurer's reports, bid authorizations and awards, participation in cooperative bidding, appointment of election workers, and approval of the payroll calendar. Reports were presented by the Assistant Superintendent for Business on the budget, the Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction on Visible Learning, and building principals on school activities and events. The board also discussed capital projects, policy committee updates, and student member updates. New business included approving supplemental agreements, a settlement agreement, lease agreements, contracts, change orders, a budget resolution, a property tax report card, a transfer of funds, library vote results, participation in a trap team, summer school contracts, and field trips. The board also moved into and returned from an executive session.