Maria Cristina Banados

The meeting addressed routine matters, including the approval of the agenda and previous special meeting minutes. Key discussion items involved presentations on College & Careers and End of Year Data. New business included accepting a donation of backpacks filled with school supplies. Financial matters involved approving the Claims Auditor Report, various Status Reports (Appropriation and Revenue), approving multiple warrants totaling significant amounts, agreeing to participate in joint food service commodity bidding with other districts, establishing minimum tuition rates for parentally-placed students for the 2025-2026 school year, approving agreements for EMT services during sporting events and for contest announcers, approving the 2025-2026 registration for specified non-resident students, approving shared sports services contracts for lacrosse, and authorizing the 2025/2026 tax levy. Personnel actions included approving staffing for the 21st Century Community Learning Center Grant After School program, rescinding an approval for an extra class period payment, approving extra class period payments, approving stipend appointments, approving amended substitute teacher appointments, approving BTA stipends, approving FMLA and child rearing leaves, accepting several resignations/retirements, approving a termination, and approving appointments for Senior Office Assistant positions. The Board also approved several Building Use Requests for various programs including 'Teen Tuesdays,' baseball catcher instruction, blood drives, basketball clinics, basketball workouts, and Senior Trip fundraising car washes. The meeting concluded with an executive session to discuss personnel matters.

The meeting commenced with the President calling the session to order following the verification of a quorum and the Pledge of Allegiance. A key resolution involved approving the suspension of Policy #1230 regarding Public Participation at Board Meetings for the duration of the current special meeting and adopting the Proposed Board of Education Agenda. Following this, the Board moved into an Executive Session to discuss personnel matters with counsel, and subsequently returned to Public Session before adjourning.

Key discussions during the meeting included an update on the Superintendent Search process, presented by the Chief Operating Officer of ESBOCES, with the goal of concluding the search before July 1, 2026. The Interim Business Administrator presented the first draft of the 2026-2027 budget, focusing on the tax cap calculation and revenue projection. New Business involved the approval of the 2026-2027 Budget Vote and Election Calendar, and the approval of the 2026 Summer Camp program dates. Under Superintendent's Recommendations, a consent agenda covered numerous financial matters, including accepting various Claims Auditor and Warrant Reports for periods ending January 31, 2026, approving the amended 2025-2026 registration for non-resident students, and approving the Obsolete or Surplus Items List. Personnel actions included approving amended leave requests, appointing an Account Clerk and a Senior Office Assistant, approving an Unpaid Leave of Absence Memorandum of Agreement, and approving additional pay for teaching extra class periods and After School Program staffing. The Committee on Special Education recommendations were approved. Building Use Requests were approved for several events, including a Trivia Night fundraiser and a National Honor Society Blood Drive. The Board also addressed public comments regarding a letter received after the January 21, 2026 meeting.

The key discussion topics for this proposed Board of Education meeting include an update on the Superintendent Search provided by the Chief Operating Officer, and the first presentation of the 2026/2027 Budget by the Interim Business Administrator. Financial matters slated for approval include accepting several warrants, reports from the Claims Auditor, Appropriation Status, Revenue Status, and Treasurer for the period ending January 31, 2026, as well as approving the 2026-2027 Budget Vote and Election Calendar and the 2026 Summer Camp program dates. Personnel actions include approving amended FMLA leave requests, approving appointments for an Account Clerk and a Senior Office Assistant, and approving leave of absence agreements and extra compensation for staff teaching additional class periods or participating in grant-funded after-school programs. The Committee on Special Education recommendations for several students are also on the agenda, along with approvals for building use requests, including a blood drive and fundraising events.

The primary actions during this meeting involved routine matters, including the approval to suspend Policy #1230 regarding Public Participation at Board Meetings for the duration of this Special Meeting and the subsequent adoption of the Proposed Board of Education Agenda. The Board also motioned to adjourn to Executive Session to discuss personnel matters with legal counsel, followed by a motion to return to Public Session, and finally, a motion to adjourn the meeting.