Elizabeth Chelus

The meeting commenced with an Executive Session to discuss a personnel matter, reconvening to Open Session shortly thereafter. Key agenda items included the approval of the current meeting agenda and the approval of the Meeting Minutes and Executive Session from January 12, 2026. Informational segments featured an update from the Teacher Forum, Board Reports covering the Finance Committee and PTO meetings, and Superintendent's Reports with updates on Clarence Middle School, Academic Achievement Data Overview, Budget Planning, and Student Body status. The Board approved financial documents, including the December Financials, Schedule of Bills, and Check Warrant Report, as well as purchases via Piggybacking Contracts and textbook disposal. Personnel changes approved involved resignations, leaves of absence, prior appointments, and new instructional and non-instructional appointments. The Board also authorized an agreement regarding tuition payment for the Director of Technology's graduate courses and approved funds for a Memorandum of Agreement concerning psychologist and social worker compensation during substitute shortages. Additionally, the Board approved special education recommendations, field trips to Quebec City and Syracuse, NY, and reviewed/renumbered several Board Policies. Finally, the termination of a Civil Service employee, James Scott (Bus Driver), was affirmed.

The meeting agenda included an Executive Session to discuss a personnel matter. Key action items involved approving the agenda, reviewing committee and superintendent reports, and addressing finance items such as the December Financials, Schedule of Bills, approval of purchases via Piggybacking Contracts for capital work totaling $214,127, approval of Club America as an Extraclassroom Activity Club, and approval to dispose of 20 outdated textbooks. The personnel section included actions on resignations, leaves of absence, appointments (instructional and non-instructional), tenure notifications, and resolutions authorizing tuition payment for the Director of Technology and implementing a Memorandum of Agreement regarding psychologist and social worker compensation. Furthermore, the Board reviewed second reads for policies concerning Data Networks and Security Access, School Safety Plans, and Concussion Management.

The committee reviewed the budget presentation, focusing on known budget assumptions and anticipated changes in preparation for the second Budget Planning Update. Key budget drivers discussed included an anticipated 8.75% increase in health insurance costs, an estimated $330K increase in utility expenses, fluctuations in special education costs based on student needs, and general increases in liability insurance. Revenue updates covered the finalization of the tax cap after February 15th and a 1% increase in Foundation Aid from the Governor's Budget. The committee reviewed elementary enrollment projections and staffing levels, emphasizing the budget priorities to stay within the tax cap and maintain current programs and staffing. Planning was also discussed for Vote Day communications, including the Annual Report to the Community and Budget Hearing.

The regular Board of Education meeting began with an executive session to discuss a personnel matter, returning to open session afterward. Key actions taken included the approval of the meeting agenda and the approval of various financial items, such as the November Financials, Schedule of Bills, Check Warrant Report, and several resolutions related to purchasing alliances and capital work contracts. The Board approved instructional staff personnel changes, including resignations and appointments (one probationary and one substitute), as well as extracurricular advisor appointments and mentor program participants. Further personnel actions addressed tenure notification and approval, professional development workshop compensation, and updates to the substitute teacher list. A resolution was passed to appoint hearing officers for Civil Service Law Section 71 or 73 hearings for the 2025-2026 fiscal year. The Board also approved recommendations for the Committee on Special Education and Committee on Preschool Special Education. Finally, non-instructional staff changes, including resignations, a leave of absence request, and appointments, were approved, along with an informational item regarding the 2026 minimum wage increase.

The meeting agenda included an Executive Session to discuss a personnel matter. Key discussion points spanned across finance, personnel, and capital projects. Finance items involved the approval of November Financials, Schedule of Bills, budget transfers, participation in Cooperative Purchasing Alliances, tax reports, and various capital work approvals, including testing agencies for the Capital Project and an architect contract for the Energy Performance Contract. Personnel matters covered resignations, appointments (instructional and non-instructional), and tenure notifications. The agenda also included first reads for several policy updates concerning data networks, school safety plans, and concussion management. Furthermore, there were informational reports on CSEF, PTO meetings, Capital Project Updates (including construction schedules for multiple district locations and bid results), and an update on the 2026-2027 Budget Planning.