Donna Brower

The meeting included an executive session to discuss legal counsel advice, a special education student issue, contract negotiations, and personnel matters. A major presentation covered the partnership between Islip High School and Suffolk County Community College to increase college accessibility through dual enrollment and early college pathways, potentially leading to an Associate's Degree. The budget workshop focused on the preliminary revenue budget, noting an anticipated state aid increase of approximately $136,535 and an allowable tax levy projection of $70 million (a 2.22% increase), while the preliminary expenditure budget of $108,109,998 revealed a current gap of $2,760,890. Key actions included policy readings for homeless children procedures, budget amendments to cover a $400,000 judgement, authorization of budget transfers for salaries, approval of service agreements, acceptance of a scholarship donation, authorization of several field trips, and ratification of an agreement with the Islip Teachers' Association. Board elections were also discussed.

This document outlines the 2026-2027 Budget Development for Islip Public Schools, guided by a vision of 'Students First... Pure Intentions... Best Effort...' and a mission to empower all students to achieve excellence and reach their full potential. Key programs and initiatives presented include strengthening elementary foundations, expanding social-emotional learning support, enhancing literacy through the Science of Reading, and increasing STEAM and innovation opportunities, alongside expanded academic and career readiness programs. The budget goals prioritize maintaining a safe, supportive, and inclusive school community, focusing on student academic, mental, and social well-being, improving instructional programs, and expanding curricular and extracurricular opportunities. Future strategic objectives involve strengthening Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS), integrating AI into instruction, and expanding professional learning, all while ensuring fiscal responsibility and facility maintenance.

The meeting commenced with the Pledge of Allegiance and a Fire Code Announcement. The primary procedural action was the motion to call the meeting to order, which was approved. The Board subsequently voted to convene into an executive session for the purpose of discussing the employment or employment history of a particular person or persons, beginning at 4:48 p.m. The session concluded, and the Board reconvened into open session at 6:23 p.m. The meeting was formally adjourned at 6:24 p.m.

The meeting began with the Pledge of Allegiance and a brief safety announcement regarding changing smoke and CO detector batteries. The external auditors presented the financial audit results for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2021, noting no material weaknesses in internal controls or compliance, though recommendations for operational efficiencies were made. The general fund ended the year with a positive balance, though the total fund balance decreased by approximately $637,000. The report detailed increases in expenditures related to salaries, computer purchases, and employee benefits, including TRS contribution rate increases. Two new funds, scholarship funds and extra classroom activities funds, were included in the reporting entity due to new governmental accounting standards. Discussion occurred regarding the disposal of old books and the process for selecting new, diverse library materials, including both 'mirror' (representing the student population) and 'window' (exposing students to other cultures) books. The board also discussed the required grease trap replacement project completed over the summer to address compliance violations regarding clogging potential. Finally, license renewals for DeltaMath, a math problem program used at the high school, and personnel matters, including instructional appointments, were addressed.

The meeting agenda included several policy readings and discussions. New policies recommended for adoption included one establishing an opioid overdose prevention program for students and staff, and another detailing the Parents' Bill of Rights concerning student data and privacy, including vendor safeguards. A second reading was held for a policy on student voter registration for eligible students aged 16 and older. Policies slated for adoption included designating single-occupancy bathrooms as gender-neutral and a policy on reporting students who meet graduation potential criteria. The Policy Committee is scheduled to meet in early February. A significant portion of the meeting addressed the recent court decisions regarding the mask mandate, which resulted in the district temporarily making masks optional before the mandate was reinstated pending further court hearings.