Kristen Anisis

This report analyzes the context of emerging social media regulation in Europe, assessing existing laws, identifying deficiencies, and proposing a streamlined regulatory framework to enhance youth online safety. It introduces the 'SAFEST' model, built on six critical components: Safety, Autonomy and Choice, Free Expression, Evidence-based Practices, Security and Privacy, and Transparency. Key recommendations for regulators include mandating device-level age verification, providing guidance on age assurance technologies and content ratings systems, creating incentives for safety innovation, ensuring adherence to industry safety standards, advocating for improved law enforcement efforts, and establishing clear remediation plans. The ultimate objective is to guide harmonized youth online safety legislation across Europe, ensuring comprehensive protection while fostering empowering and positive digital experiences for young people.

The meeting, which included a budget work session, began with old business addressing a heating issue in classrooms at the junior senior high school on January 27th due to a hot water pipe failure, with commendations offered to staff for their professionalism and swift resolution. The board then moved into the budget work session, covering the project development overview process, the Governor's executive budget proposal for state aid (projecting approximately a $700,000 increase in foundation aid), revenue sources including property tax levy forecasts, and the budgetary objectives focused on educationally sound and fiscally responsible expenses. Key achievements supporting the 2025-2026 budget were highlighted, including the completion of an energy performance capital project involving LED upgrades, weatherization of building envelopes, installation of smart relief dampers, and boiler replacements at Rain Avenue made cost-neutral to taxpayers. Communication system upgrades included new bus and security radio repeaters. Cosmetic work at the junior senior high school included refurbished lockers and repainted corridors. Other capital projects discussed were the Koopa restoration, projector screen upgrades at Center Avenue, and a refresh project at Rainbow Avenue main office. Personnel additions for 2025-2026 included a humanities director, a special education teacher, and an additional part-time occupational therapist, alongside the hiring of a full-time bus driver to bring back career and technical education routes in-house. The budget development cycle timeline was reviewed, concluding with plans for an off-site budget retreat.

The special board meeting addressed the approval of several resolutions. Key items included the approval of a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) between the board and the East Rockaway Teachers Association concerning an ERTA retirement incentive, authorizing the board president to execute the resulting agreement. Furthermore, the board approved a consultant services agreement with Her Story for professional development and writing program licensing for East Rockaway High School. A grant award from the East Rockaway Education Foundation totaling $1,936.20 for districtwide educational programs was also approved. The meeting concluded with a motion to enter into executive session to discuss contract negotiations.

The meeting began with the recognition of an exemplary third-grade student. A significant portion of the session was dedicated to a presentation by a student, Adam Bulgowski, on his web-based parking intelligence system called Smart Park, which utilizes AI and community-sourced data to address parking issues, including accessible parking availability. Discussions included rescheduling the family engagement night due to a guest speaker's inability to attend. In new business, the budget adoption date was changed, scheduling a special meeting on April 21st, 2026, to adopt the budget, and deadlines for nominating petitions for Board of Education trustee positions were announced. Donations from the Center Avenue PTA and Rain Avenue PTA for sixth-grade activities were accepted. Old business covered deadlines for the UPK lottery interest forms and the lottery date itself. The student report highlighted achievements, including high school virtual enterprise success, an athlete qualifying for championships, and seniors completing Seal of Literacy presentations. Innovations noted were a new game design and coding course and science students visiting a hydroponics farm. Policy matters involved the adoption of four policies related to records regulation, student records, privacy rights, and data breach notification.

The session included old business concerning a heating issue at the junior senior high school on January 27th due to a hot water pipe malfunction, which required adjustments by the administration and staff to maintain instruction. The primary agenda item was the budget work session, covering the project development overview, the governor's executive budget proposal for state aid, revenue sources for the upcoming school budget, and the tax levy cap forecast. Key budget objectives include supporting educationally sound expenses, maintaining existing programs, and providing enhancements for students. Recent capital project achievements highlighted included completing an energy performance project across the district, involving LED lighting upgrades, motion-activated smart controls, weatherization of building envelopes, smart relief dampers, and pipe insulation. Capital expenditures at specific schools included new boilers at Rain Avenue and enhanced steam traps at Center Avenue, financed in a cost-neutral manner through the energy performance contract. Other updates covered the district-wide upgrade of bus and security radio systems, cosmetic work at the high school (locker refurbishment and corridor repainting), cabinetry upgrades at the junior senior high school, delivery of windows for the Koopa restoration project, and upgrading the projector screen system at Center Avenue. Budgetary highlights for the 2025-2026 plan include adding a humanities director, a special education teacher, and increasing occupational therapy services to 1.5 FTE to meet mandates. Furthermore, the hiring of a full-time bus driver allowed the district to reclaim certain career and technical education bus routes from Boseies.