Jennifer Eraca

The board meeting included an executive session to discuss employment history and legal guidance regarding collective negotiations. Students performed the pledge of allegiance and a school song. The meeting featured recognitions for student achievements in poetry, and updates on district events, including Read Across America activities, Disability Awareness Month, a science fair, and an upcoming high school musical performance. The open session included public comments regarding budget sustainability, fund balance transparency, and concerns about financial reporting.

The key discussion item was a proposed executive session to discuss the employment history of a particular person and legal guidance exempt from open meetings law. The Board voted to recess into and exit the executive session. The meeting concluded with adjournment.

The key discussion point involved a general action item for providing legal defense to Trustee Nicholas Magalaniano concerning an appeal filed with the Commissioner of Education, pursuant to the Public Officers Law and New York Education Law. The board approved appointing the firm of Thomas Droan Waxman Pedigro and Melee LLP to represent the trustee if the district's insurer does not provide a defense. Several trustees engaged in debate regarding freedom of speech, consequences for statements made, intimidation, and the proper process for handling disputes among board members. Leadership encouraged trustees to utilize internal conflict resolution channels before escalating issues.

The meeting commenced with the Board recessing into executive session to discuss collective negotiations and employment history, later exiting the session. Key discussion points during the open session included community comments regarding the Varsity Lacrosse Coach position, the Veteran's Exemption, pupil services, and issues concerning school resources and policies. Board members commented on the coach situation, confirming the Board does not make personnel decisions but seeks a plan for the coach position, and addressed community concerns about unanswered emails and purchase amounts for cafeteria furniture. Consent agenda actions involved approving the overall agenda, various prior minutes (excluding those approved on this date), financial reports for December 2025, special education placements, acceptance of donations, appointment of an Interim Athletic Director, approval of service agreements, declaration of surplus textbooks for disposal, and approval of a Memorandum of Agreement with the CSEA regarding unpaid leave. General actions included approval of personnel requests, a substitute rate, field trip requests, a significant revision to the veteran's tax exemption structure, an agreement extension with Anthem HealthChoice Insurance, adoption of Policy #6150 (Budget Transfers), and waiving a conflict of interest for the law firm TDWPM concerning a Boundary Line Alteration Agreement between Carmel and Brewster Central School Districts. A motion to approve a District-Wide DASA Coordinator was tabled. The Board also approved a memorandum of agreement extending the collective bargaining agreement with the Paraprofessional Staff Association. Old business addressed teacher gift policies, posting monthly reports online, and scheduling upcoming training on the Harm of Anti-Muslim Sentiment. The meeting concluded with a second executive session to discuss legal guidance on investigations and collective negotiations before adjournment.

The meeting involved multiple recesses into Executive Session for the purpose of receiving legal guidance exempt from Open Meetings Law. Key discussions during the public session included Policy #9267 regarding Social Media Use and Digital Citizenship, which was referred back to the policy committee, and Policy #9268 concerning the Prohibition of Fraternization Between School Employees and Students, which is scheduled for a first read on February 10, 2026. The session concluded with the adjournment of the meeting.