Sarah Carpenter

The meeting addressed several significant operational and financial matters. Key discussions included a presentation on Phase 2 of the Capital Improvement Project, focusing on scope of work and gym upgrades at the Wilson Elementary Building. Budget considerations for 2026-2027 were reviewed, covering detailed information from the Transportation, Athletic, and Buildings and Grounds Departments. The Board approved the 2025-2026 District-Wide Safety Plan and the Cardiac Emergency Response Plan, as well as agreements related to the Trap Club, including a Hold Harmless and Indemnification Agreement and a Facility Use Agreement with the Adams Center Sportsman's Club. Personnel actions included accepting a teaching assistant's retirement and a bus driver's resignation, the appointment of an Interim Director of Facilities, and various appointments for after-school support, coaching, and student teaching/field experience placements. Financial matters included the approval of the Treasurer's Report for December 2025 and the Health Insurance Report for December 2025. The session concluded with an Executive Session to discuss contractual negotiations and employment history.

The meeting commenced with the appointment of a Chairperson Pro Tem due to excused absences. Key discussions included considerations for the 2026-2027 budget pertaining to Instructional Technology and secondary principals, involving detailed information on technology infrastructure, staffing, and equipment needs for Clarke Middle School and Clarke High School. Public forum comments focused on restoring four class sections per grade level at the elementary level and smaller class sizes, as well as concerns regarding the volleyball sport season timing. The Board approved an out-of-country trip request for French and Spanish Club students to Montreal, Quebec, Canada. Furthermore, the Board approved CSE/CPSE recommendations for special education services and acknowledged homeschooling requests for the 2025-2026 school year. District updates covered topics such as a grant for purchasing AEDs, NYS Council of School Superintendents activities, Universal PreK, and zero emission buses. Personnel actions included accepting two cleaner resignations, approving a maternity leave of absence for an Elementary Teacher, and making several appointments for Special Education Teacher, Aide, Field Experience Placement, Spring Coaches, Extracurricular Supervisor, Volunteer Assistant Coaches, and instructional/support staff substitutes for the 2025-2026 school year. The Board also approved the 2026-2027 Capital Outlay Project SEQRA determination for toilet room upgrades at Clarke Jr/Sr Highschool, approved the tax levy cap calculation, and authorized intermunicipal agreements for the 2026 Summer Recreation Program with the Village of Adams, Town of Ellisburg, Town of Lorraine, and Town of Rodman. The meeting concluded with an executive session to discuss contractual negotiations and employment history.

The meeting agenda included key discussions and actions on several fronts. Budget considerations for the 2026-2027 fiscal year were reviewed, specifically for the Special Education Department and the Wilson Elementary and Mannsville-Manor Elementary Buildings, covering program, staffing, and equipment needs. The Board approved several personnel actions, including accepting a retirement resignation, accepting a cleaner resignation, approving a maternity leave of absence, and making numerous new appointments for technician, aide, and food service helper positions. The Board also approved independent athlete participation requests for the 2025-2026 spring season and approved combining with Pulaski Central School District for Varsity Boys Hockey for the 2026-2027 school year. The Board granted approval for an FFA overnight trip to Albany, New York. Financial matters addressed included approving the Treasurer's Report for November 2025, the Budget Report for November and December 2025, and the Health Insurance Recap for November 2025. Furthermore, the Board declared obsolete equipment surplus for auction and approved contract agreements for Phase 2 Project services with King + King Architects, LLP and Watchdog Building Partners, LLC. The IRS mileage reimbursement rate for 2026 was approved at $0.725 per mile. Finally, the Board upheld the Superintendent's decision regarding a CSEA grievance.

This document outlines the South Jefferson Central School District's District-Wide School Safety Emergency Response Plan for 2025-2026. It details comprehensive strategies for preventing and minimizing the effects of serious violent incidents and emergencies, ensuring coordination with local resources. The plan encompasses risk reduction, prevention, intervention, emergency response, and communication protocols. Additionally, it integrates specific addenda for communicable disease (pandemic response), workplace violence prevention, and cardiac emergency response, emphasizing preparedness, response, and recovery across all school operations.

The meeting commenced with the approval of the agenda and previous minutes. Key discussions included public forum comments regarding immunizations, introductions and governance training provided by the BOCES District Superintendent, and presentations on the Senior Class Trip to Boston, Massachusetts, which was approved, and a planned trip to Paris, France, which the Board approved moving forward with obtaining interest for. The Board also reviewed a presentation on the partnership with Modern Learners for the New York State Portrait of a Graduate initiative. Approvals were granted for overnight trips for the Varsity Wrestling team to Windsor, NY, the Varsity Softball team to Myrtle Beach, SC, and the FFA team to Croghan, NY for leadership training. Policy updates for Staff Acceptable Use, School Volunteers, Visitors to the School, and Therapy Dogs were reviewed, and the Board voted to waive the three-reading requirement and adopt these updated policies. The Board approved the Committee on Special Education/Preschool Education recommendations and acknowledged the homeschooling requests from three families. Personnel actions included accepting a resignation for retirement from a Special Education Teacher, resignations for the Director of Facilities and Micro-Computer Technician, and a Bus Aide. Leaves of absence were approved for a Speech Language Pathologist and an Elementary Teacher. Changes in appointment and hours were approved for a Special Elementary Teacher and a Food Service Helper, respectively. Appointments were made for an Interim Director of Facilities, a Cook, a Food Service Helper, the 2026 Summer Recreation Program Director, After-School Support staff, a Special Education Teacher, an Aide, a Club and Class Advisor, an Extracurricular Supervisor, and instructional and support staff substitutes. Volunteer coaches and chaperones were also approved. The Treasurer's Report for October 2025, the Health Insurance Recap for October 2025, and an update to substitute pay rates (increasing various hourly rates to $16.00) were approved. The Board established standard work days for TRS reporting purposes. The Business Office provided updates on capital projects and finances, followed by an executive session for contractual negotiations before adjournment.