Joey J. Cohen

The board meeting focused on the ratification of election results and the election of new board members, including their respective terms of service. Key agenda items included the adoption of the school district budget for the upcoming fiscal year and authorization for the expenditure of funds from the capital reserve for several capital improvement projects across multiple schools. Additionally, the board held a discussion period where members expressed gratitude to the community for their support and welcomed new members to the board.

This Instructional Technology Plan outlines the Patchogue-Medford School District's strategy to seamlessly integrate technology into instruction, enhancing teaching and learning while promoting creativity, collaboration, and critical thinking. Key pillars include sustaining the 1:1 student device initiative for equitable access, integrating age-appropriate artificial intelligence (AI) tools for personalized learning and creativity, ensuring student protection in digital environments through training on safe and ethical technology use, and providing professional development for teachers to foster purposeful technology integration. The plan aims to increase student engagement, strengthen digital literacy, and ensure equitable access to technology and learning opportunities.

The Board of Education held a budget workshop to present the proposed budget for the upcoming academic year. Key discussion topics included an overview of universal prekindergarten funding and future mandates, the proposed budget appropriation, tax levy limits, and the importance of fiscal responsibility. Additionally, the Board discussed capital project funding, specifically focusing on the use of interfund transfers and capital reserves for building repairs, improvements, and necessary soil remediation. The meeting also addressed the process for the upcoming annual budget vote and trustee election.

This document outlines the Patchogue-Medford School District's comprehensive District-Wide School Safety Plan, as mandated by the SAVE Law. The plan focuses on risk reduction, prevention, response, and recovery strategies for various emergencies to ensure the safety, health, and security of students and staff. Key components include defining policies for emergency responses, addressing threats of violence and public health emergencies, implementing prevention strategies like threat assessment and bullying prevention, and establishing the roles and responsibilities of the Chief Emergency Officer and District-Wide Safety Team for annual review and updates.

The meeting featured an explanation of voting procedures for district residents and an introduction of candidates running for Board of Education seats. The administrative staff provided a detailed overview of the budget proposal and the bond proposition scheduled for an upcoming public vote. Additionally, a public session was held to allow community members to pose questions and offer comments regarding the proposed fiscal budget.