Karen Cuddy-Miller

Key discussion points included Board Appreciation Month, where students presented gifts to the Board members. The Board reviewed and subsequently approved the updated District Safety Plan, which incorporates the requirements of Desha's Law, noting that staff and student training related to this is underway. Professional development for faculty regarding trauma-informed teaching and Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) was also reviewed. Operational updates covered the readiness of renovated classrooms for the English Department and discussions with elementary teachers regarding temporary spaces due to the upcoming $14 million Capital Improvement Project. A detailed presentation was given on student discipline data from September 1 to December 15, 2025, breaking down incidents by behavior type, grade level, and gender, which indicated that most incidents were minor and decreasing. Curriculum updates involved scheduling the January Regents Exam for juniors and conducting the required computer-based testing simulation. Furthermore, the administration shared initial discussions on new graduation measures and the process for developing the triennial Technology Plan. Updates on Special Education focused on the State Performance Plan (SPP) indicators, particularly Indicator 3 regarding student assessment participation, which impacts federal funding. A preliminary budget review for 2026-2027 was presented, projecting an overall increase of 1.89%, with detailed analysis of changes across General Support, Instruction, Transportation, and Undistributed categories. The financial review also addressed concerns regarding the potential impact of a Payment in Lieu of Taxes (PILOT) agreement for the solar array property versus having it fully on the tax roll. The Superintendent also presented the draft 2026-2027 school calendar for initial review. The Board conducted first readings of several policies concerning personnel conduct and ethics and approved the second readings and adoption of policies related to communicable diseases, transportation, and bus driver qualifications, alongside the revised 2025-2026 District Safety Plan. Personnel actions included conferring tenure upon one School Counselor and approving several appointments and a leave of absence.

The meeting commenced with the approval of the agenda. Key discussions included Board Appreciation Month activities, where student gifts were presented. The Superintendent provided an update on the updated District Safety Plan, confirming staff training rollout related to Desha's Law and ongoing professional development on trauma-informed teaching and adverse childhood experiences (ACEs). Facility updates covered the readiness of renovated classrooms for the English Department and ongoing discussions regarding temporary locations due to the $14 million Capital Improvement Project. Data-driven information on student discipline was reviewed, breaking down incidents by behavior type and grade level, with a focus on minor incidents showing a positive decrease. Curriculum updates included details on the upcoming January Regents Exam for juniors and the mandatory computer-based testing simulation scheduled for late January/early February. The Board also reviewed updates on new graduation measures ("NYS Inspires") and the technology plan timeline. The Director of Instructional Services discussed compliance with the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) performance plan indicators, focusing on assessment participation rates for students with disabilities and targeted intervention groups. A comprehensive preliminary budget needs review for 2026-2027 was presented, highlighting expected increases in areas like Business Administration, Operation of Plant, and Employee Benefits, alongside a projected overall budget increase of 1.89%. Financial discussions also covered the Master Budget Plan, potential negative impacts from property tax revenue changes, and the implications of a potential Payment In Lieu of Taxes (PILOT) agreement related to solar arrays. Personnel actions included conferring tenure upon a School Counselor, approving a leave of absence, and appointing various substitutes and mentors. Business items included acceptance of Extraclassroom Reports, Treasurer's Report, and Warrant Report for December 2025, and approval of the Reserve Fund Planning Booklet and a Memorandum of Agreement with the Barker Teachers' Union. Finally, the Board reviewed and approved several policies on first and second readings and formally approved the revised 2025-2026 District Safety Plan.

The meeting addressed several key areas including the approval of the agenda and previous minutes. Principal's updates covered successful holiday food and turkey drives, the Parent-Teacher conferences, and a public hearing regarding Desha's Law safety plan changes. Discipline data was reviewed, including write-ups and cell phone incidents, with the Board concurring to evaluate the cell phone policy at year-end for the next school year. Curriculum updates included departmental goal alignment with the Strategic Plan, focusing primarily on literacy goals across grade levels and departments, and planning for a new 3-year technology plan. An update on Special Education's CSE and CPSE meetings was provided. The Board reviewed the 2026-2027 budget calendar, discussed tax cap calculations, and the use of reserve funds based on the Reserve Fund Plan. Superintendent updates detailed ongoing delays with the $25 million Capital Improvement Project and anticipated timelines, as well as the delayed demolition of the Yorker House. The Superintendent also reported positively on the UPK program's review by a state representative. The Board reviewed first readings of several policies and approved the second readings of policies pertaining to Safety and Security. Business items included accepting financial reports, approving the 2026-2027 Budget Calendar, and approving appointments for Community Education staff and personnel actions, including the appointment of a probationary School Business Administrator.

The meeting included approval of the agenda and discussion regarding an intermunicipal cooperation agreement for special education placements, which a resident expressed concern about regarding program capacity. Presentations covered principal updates, including successful food and turkey drives, parent-teacher conferences, and the lack of attendance at the Desha's Law public hearing. Disciplinary data was reviewed, with a discussion and subsequent decision to maintain the current cell phone use policy until the end of the year for evaluation. Curriculum updates detailed the alignment of departmental goals with the Strategic Plan, focusing primarily on literacy goals across various grade levels and departments, and initial steps in reviewing the vertical articulation of the Math curriculum. Technology planning for the next three years is underway, including the addition of new hardware. The Director of Instructional Services provided an update on CSE/CPSE annual review meetings. The Board reviewed parameters for the 2026-2027 budget development, including the tax cap calculation, and discussed the ongoing $25 million Capital Improvement Project delays and phasing for the $14 million project. The Superintendent reported on receiving approval to demo the Yorker House and positive feedback received during a state representative visit regarding the UPK program. Policies regarding communicable diseases, HIV, transportation, and bus safety were reviewed on the first reading, while policies on safety and security, AEDs, and fire drills passed the second reading for approval. The Board approved the Intermunicipal Cooperation Agreement for Interscholastic Boys Soccer and the Special Education Placements agreement. Personnel actions included the appointment of a probationary School Business Administrator and changes in cleaner and coaching appointments, along with appointments of several per diem substitutes and Community Education staff for the Winter semester. Finally, financial reports were accepted, including the Extraclassroom Report and Treasurer's Report, and the 2026-2027 Budget Calendar was approved.

Key discussions during the meeting included updates from the Principal regarding holiday gift drives, the end of the first quarter, Parent/Teacher conferences scheduled for November 19th and December 3rd, updates on room moves due to the capital project, coordination for the new STEM space, and the save-the-date for the June 26, 2026 graduation ceremony. An update on the District Safety Plan noted the addition concerning Desha's Law, with a public hearing scheduled for November 19th. A discipline update highlighted insubordination, bus behavior, and vaping incidents. Curriculum updates showed strong performance in ELA and Math assessments compared to regional and state averages, alongside a discussion of assessment opt-out data. The Superintendent reported on efforts to confirm the Budget Advisory Committee, presented the Budget calendar, and provided an early outlook on state aid. Financial reports indicated a projected decrease in the energy cessation mitigation fund revenue over the next few years. The Capital Improvement Project update noted boiler fine-tuning at the high school and delays in the tech area due to drainage issues. Alternate projects for the $14 million project, such as adding A/C in spots, were reviewed. The Board held first readings for several Safety and Security policies (5680-5684) and approved second readings for policies relating to energy conservation, food service, records management, and data security (5650, 5660, 5670-5675). A resolution was approved allowing the Statewide BOCES RIC ONE Risk Operations Center to enter into Data Privacy Agreements compliant with Ed Law 2d. The Board also approved the formation of a merged boys soccer team with Lyndonville Central School District for the 2026-2027 school year. Personnel actions included approving the revised start and probationary appointment for the Director of Instructional Services/Special Education and numerous officer and committee appointments. Business items included accepting various financial and warrant reports, reviewing the Tax Collection Report, approving agreements for grassland mitigation projects and JUUL litigation settlement monies, and reviewing the 2026-2027 Budget Calendar. The meeting concluded with a brief executive session to discuss employment history.