John Orcutt

The board conducted a public budget hearing and discussed the District Mission. The Board President recognized members for excellence, and the Superintendent provided updates on the state budget status, election preparations, and student board member representation. Key approvals included tenure recommendations for administrative staff, a civil service settlement agreement, the abolishment of an audio-visual aide position, and the appointment of election personnel. Additionally, the board awarded an RFP for third-party administrator services to PrimePay, approved a contract with The Palombo Group for construction management services, and settled several tax certiorari proceedings. The session concluded with internal audit reports, committee updates, and administrative personnel matters.

The board discussed topics including the elementary music program, the Superintendent's recommended budget, and a presentation on the Dutchess BOCES budget. Several policies regarding school attendance, student conduct, and extracurricular eligibility underwent first readings, and a series of outdated policies were deleted. The board also approved overnight field trips, appointed election personnel for the upcoming budget vote, entered into a joint recreation center agreement, and authorized legal services. Furthermore, the meeting covered personnel actions, curriculum resource adoption, a draft school calendar, the disposal of surplus vehicles and equipment, acceptance of various donations, and financial reports including the Internal Claims Audit and tax refund adjustments.

The board conducted a business meeting that included moving to executive session to discuss employment history, policy updates, and various personnel actions such as leaves, contract ratifications, and staff appointments. Key business items included a settlement agreement, the acceptance of a corrective action plan for the Extraclassroom Activity Fund, declarations of surplus equipment and obsolete textbooks, and approvals for donations and health and welfare service billings. The meeting also featured updates from the Superintendent and the board president, discussion on budget and school site visits, and reports from various committees and organizations.

The board conducted a business meeting that included an executive session to discuss employment history, the adoption of the 2026-2027 budget and property tax report card, and the approval of various district policies. Other key actions included the approval of overnight field trips, tenure recommendations, personnel appointments, resignations, and leaves of absence. The board also accepted an internal claims audit report, approved an inter-municipal agreement for internal auditing services, authorized tax reductions and refunds, declared certain textbooks as surplus, and accepted several donations for school programs.

The board discussed and addressed several key items, including the superintendent's recommended budget and educational plan, a reflection on a site visit, and a second reading of various district policies. New business actions included the approval of an engagement letter for legal services, the authorization of a buses, vehicles and equipment bond, the establishment of a capital reserve fund, and approval of the legal notice for the upcoming budget vote and board election. The board also declared an emergency for office roofing, accepted nominations for the BOCES Board of Education, approved an overnight field trip, and handled various personnel recommendations, including administrative leave and certified appointments. Additionally, the board approved a consulting service agreement, special education placements, an affiliation agreement for student teaching, budget appropriation transfers, change orders for district construction projects, a 504 appeal hearing officer appointment, an RFP award for a universal pre-kindergarten program, and a tax certiorari settlement.