Michael DeBlasio

The Business Meeting included an anticipated executive session to discuss personnel and contractual matters. Key action items involved approving various salary changes effective February 1, 2026, accepting resignations, and approving a leave of absence for a School Nurse. The Board also appointed a new Part-Time School Monitor and added a substitute teacher to the per diem list. Educational actions included accepting confidential recommendations from the Committees on Pre-School Special Education and Special Education. Finance required the acceptance of several financial reports for November and December 2025. New business addressed the renewal option for a bid concerning blinds, shades, and stage curtain restoration, and authorized agreements with Malverne UFSD and Herricks Union Free School District for student health, welfare, and special education services, respectively. Furthermore, an agreement amendment for special education services with Blue Sea Educational Consulting, Inc. was authorized, the School Calendar for 2026-27 was adopted, authorization was given for the disposal of obsolete equipment, and budget transfers for the 2025-2026 School Year were approved.

The Work Session began with a quorum being established, after which the Board and attendees proceeded with tours of each building to view completed summer work and discuss items remaining to be finished. Informational items included the BOE Building Walkthrough covering Robert W. Carbonaro School, Brooklyn Avenue School, and William L. Buck School, followed by a Facilities Report and a discussion item regarding the Town of Hempstead IDA.

The Work Session meeting included several informational items such as a BOE Walkthrough and Feedback session, discussion of Action Letters for NYSSBA, Pre-K Invitation details, Title I Funding review, an update on Board Goals, Election Preparation planning, discussion regarding the Board Vacancy and Committees, and a Budget Presentation. The session included an Executive Session to discuss Personnel and Contractual Obligations.

The meeting commenced with an Executive Session to discuss Personnel and Contractual Obligations, followed by the appointment of a Trustee to serve as Board President Pro Tempore upon reconvening into regular session. The Superintendent reported on attending the GlobalMindED Conference, discussing innovation and artificial intelligence, and highlighted strong district financial standing following an audit with no findings. The Superintendent also noted staff training sessions related to Vision 2030 expansion and celebrated Principals Appreciation Month. The Board addressed several personnel actions, including the appointment of a Permanent Substitute Teacher and Teaching Assistant, as well as approvals for various leaves of absence and the acceptance of one resignation. Under Education, the Board accepted confidential recommendations for pre-school and regular special education services. Finance items involved accepting various reports for August and September 2025. The Board reviewed and adopted revised policies concerning Investments, Purchasing, and Student Attendance. New Business included approving agreements with consultants/speakers for the 2025-2026 school year, authorizing agreements for Special Education services, authorizing the disposal of certain equipment, and revising the Board of Education Mission, Vision, and Belief Statements. Finally, the Board awarded Transportation Contracts for the remainder of the 2025-2026 school year.

The meeting included discussions and actions across several areas. Following a brief executive session to discuss personnel and contractual obligations, key topics included the correspondence report noting one FOIL request received in August 2025. The Superintendent's Report highlighted the start of the 2025-26 school year, a recent Board retreat on goals, New Teacher Orientation, and the announcement of improved 2025 State Assessment results (with math proficiency at 72%). Additions for the new year include redesigned classrooms, permanent substitutes, new extracurricular clubs, a CSE Chairperson position, departmentalization in Grade 6, and AI integration in Grade 6. New policies regarding Extreme Heat and internet-enabled devices were detailed. Action items included approvals for various personnel changes such as salary adjustments, additions to the substitute list, appointments of probationary teachers and a CSE Chairperson, acceptances of resignations, and approval of wage agreements for key administrative staff, including the Superintendent. Financial actions involved accepting reports for June and July 2025. New Business focused heavily on adopting the District Wide School Safety Plan for 2025-2026, re-adopting Vision, Mission, and Belief Statements, approving agreements for sub-allocation of federal IDEA funds with multiple special education programs, and authorizing new agreements for Special Education services with various consultants. The Board also authorized the disposal of obsolete equipment and awarded extensive transportation contracts for the summer of 2025 and the 2025-2026 school year, including approving a piggyback contract with Valley Stream Central High School District for student transportation.