Jim Mott

The Board of Education meeting included the presentation of scholar athlete awards and various administrative reports, covering topics such as international student travel, recent building and facility projects, artificial intelligence training, and the upcoming annual budget. The Board addressed staffing matters including resignations, appointments, and the reinstatement of personnel. Significant actions included the approval of the BOCES administrative budget and candidates, the adoption of the 2026-2027 spending plan, authorization of vote worker appointments for the upcoming annual election, and approval of an inter-municipal agreement for internal audit services. Additionally, the Board accepted a donation for the baseball field and approved a tentative agreement with the Central Valley Administrators Association, concluded by the denial of a student disciplinary appeal following an executive session.

The board conducted an annual budget hearing to review the proposed 2026-2027 budget. The proposal includes a total budget of $63,998,398, reflecting a 2.56% increase in spending and a 2.1% increase in the tax levy. The budget components were outlined, comprising program, capital, and administrative categories, along with a breakdown of revenue sources and expenditure areas. Additionally, information regarding the upcoming budget vote and the election of two board members was provided.

The meeting included student and staff recognition and a comprehensive superintendent's report covering upcoming events, grants, and building projects. The board approved numerous personnel actions, including tenure appointments, retirement notices, resignations, and substitute appointments, as well as financial reports. The board also addressed old and new business, including the revision of the board calendar, the acceptance of election results, the approval of various agreements, including a risk operations center contract and administrative computer services, the return of unused emergency days, an extension of an employment agreement, and the first reading of a policy regarding data security and privacy. Furthermore, the board approved arrangements for student accommodation plan meetings.

The Board discussed the 2026-2027 BOCES Administrative and Capital Budgets, including enrollment and financial distribution. Superintendent and administrative reports covered winter sports updates, upcoming board vacancies, and professional development training. A public forum addressed a proposal to modify student transportation procedures. Key actions included approving personnel appointments, resignations, and the disposal of surplus goods. The Board also approved the 2026-2027 school year calendar, accepted donations, authorized overnight field trips, and adopted several policy revisions related to extracurricular activities, academic eligibility, and discrimination, harassment, and bullying. An executive session was held to discuss contractual negotiations.

Key discussion items included a presentation on the BOCES Administrative and Capital Budgets for 2026-2027. The Superintendent's report covered congratulations for winter sports teams and musical participants, an update on the BOCES Annual Meeting, upcoming vacant BOE seats, and reports on negotiations, athletics, and facilities. The consent agenda involved the acceptance of several employee resignations, approval of one reinstatement from unpaid leave, various instructional and non-instructional personnel appointments (including permanent, probationary, and long-term substitute roles, as well as volunteer coaching appointments), and acceptance of financial reports for February 2026. New business addressed the approval of arrangement of services for CSE/CPSE/504 meetings, the disposal of surplus goods from various locations, approval of the 2026-2027 School Year Calendar, acceptance of donations, approval of overnight field trip requests, and several resolutions authorizing participation in cooperative purchasing programs with DCMO BOCES. The session also included policy reviews concerning Extracurricular Activities, Discrimination/Harassment/Bullying (including policy consolidation and deletions), and a first reading for a new Title IX Grievance Process policy.