Doreen M. Buckley

The board meeting included a review of the Treasurer's report, correspondence regarding Eastern Suffolk BOCES nominations and meetings, and a donation in honor of a former superintendent. The Superintendent provided an enrollment update, and staff reports were presented regarding completed facility work, residency, and upcoming school events. Business items included a report on a merger committee meeting, personnel actions such as a resignation and a substitute teacher appointment, a revision to the board meeting calendar, and the authorization of a joint municipal cooperative bidding program with Eastern Suffolk BOCES. Additionally, the board approved services from the Institute for Children with Autism and Related Disorders, a custodial worker appointment, a building use request for Family Literacy Night, and recommendations from the Committee on Special Education.

The board held an executive session to discuss contractual matters before proceeding to a public hearing regarding a partial real estate tax exemption for members of the Southampton Village Ocean Rescue squad. Following the discussion, the board adopted a resolution granting a ten percent property tax exemption for qualifying squad members under Real Property Tax Law section 466-M, outlining specific eligibility requirements including residential use and length of service.

The meeting included an anticipated executive session and the Pledge of Allegiance. Key discussions involved the Treasurer's Report for December 2025 and an enrollment update showing a total of 397 students, alongside updates on the budget and SCOPE Award Recipients. Under New Business, the Board addressed personnel matters, including the approval of an amendment to the Superintendent's employment agreement and the termination of one employee. Finance resolutions included the approval of a $2,500 payment for a cultural assembly and a $25,000 budget transfer to clear a negative payroll code. Several appointments were approved, including a Food Service Worker. Additionally, ten field trip requests for various grades and the Music Department were approved, as was a building use request for parking area usage. Finally, recommendations from the Committee on Special Education and the Committee on Preschool Special Education from January 14, 2026, were approved.

The Special Board Meeting addressed two key resolutions under the Resolutions section. The first resolution involved the approval of the Memorandum of Agreement establishing a successor labor agreement between the Tuckahoe Common School District and the Tuckahoe Teachers Association for the period from July 1, 2025, through June 30, 2030. The second resolution concerned the appointment of Mindy Doroski to the position of District Treasurer and Central Treasurer for a six-month probationary period, commencing around November 10, 2025, with a prorated salary of $102,000 plus benefits.

The budget work session featured presentations covering the 2026-2027 budget introduction, financial summary overview, and detailed budgets for Plant Operations and Maintenance, Administration & Benefits, Instructional, Special Education, Technology, and Transportation. Resolutions addressed personnel matters, including the acceptance of one resignation and the approval of a short-term extension for a childcare leave. Other resolutions approved payments for Parent Training and Behavioral Intervention Services, authorized budget transfers to clear negative payroll codes, and agreed to retain Meyer Merger Studies & Consulting to perform a Reorganization Feasibility Study contingent upon a formal agreement. Additionally, approval was granted to engage Belfor Property Restoration for Phase 3 Window Replacements at Tuckahoe School, paid for by District funds transferred from Fund Balance. Appointments were approved for three substitute custodians.