Seth Clearman

The Board of Education discussed and approved an emergency capital project regarding a fuel leak at the operation center, including environmental remediation, monitoring, and funding as an ordinary contingent expense. Additionally, the Board approved a 2026 capital outlay project for the replacement of exterior doors and frames at the Primary Elementary School, reviewed draft 2026-2027 building and department budgets, and accepted a consensus agenda covering various business items, including personnel changes, volunteer appointments, field trip requests, and committee reports.

The Board of Education meeting covered several critical items, including the review of the 2026-2027 budget presentation and discussion of budget drivers. The Board passed a transportation bond resolution to finance the acquisition of new school buses and authorized a corresponding proposition for voter approval. Key business items included the ratification of collective bargaining agreements with the Administrative Team and the Custodial-Maintenance Mechanics Association, approval of various agreements for graduation and utility billing audits, and the declaration of surplus items. Additionally, the Board addressed personnel matters, including appointments and retirements, and reviewed committee reports, including those from the Council for Instructional Excellence.

The meeting agenda focused on establishing guidelines for the 2026-27 Budget and reviewing Building and Department Budgets, including presentations and Q&A sessions. Key guidelines emphasize meeting student needs through staffing decisions, utilizing budget efficiencies and shared services, strategically using fund balance, maintaining public communication, and minimizing cuts during tax cap cycles. The discussion also covered projected staffing changes, including retirements and requested additions for special education, teaching assistance, social work, and speech therapy positions. Budget comparisons between the 2025-26 actuals and 2026-27 proposed figures were presented for various departments (Academy, Middle School, Primary & Elementary, Special Programs, Music, Office of Instruction, Athletics, Technology, Buildings & Grounds, Transportation). Finally, tax levy scenarios were reviewed, contrasting the current 2025-26 levy details with proposed options for a 2% or 2.73% (Cap) tax levy increase, including corresponding reserve appropriations and projected tax rates.

The meeting included a strategic plan update presentation highlighting activities and outlining next steps. The Board approved a settlement for tax certiorari proceedings concerning property at 4275 County Route 16 for the 2024-25 and 2025-26 tax years, agreeing to waive refunds for 2025 and adjust the 2025 assessment. The Consensus Agenda covered the approval of the 2026-2027 school calendar, an agreement with Educational Data Services, Inc. for cooperative bidding, approval of the rate for health services to non-resident students, and final/initial approvals for various field trips. Further business involved designating dates and locations for the Annual School Board Election and Budget Vote in May 2026, approving a new Constantino Financial Hustle Scholarship, declaring surplus science textbooks, authorizing a contribution to the Sick Bank Reserve, approving a new French Club, and accepting the report on uncollected taxes for 2025-2026. Personnel actions included accepting retirements, processing resignations and appointments for non-instructional and instructional staff, including a new Social Studies Teacher.

The meeting commenced with an Executive Session at 5:15 p.m. to discuss the employment history of twelve individuals, returning to Open Session at 5:30 p.m. Following a break, the meeting was called to order. The President introduced representatives from the PTSA who presented the Superintendent with the Administrator of the Year Award. The Board Student Representative provided updates on recent concerts, athletic competitions, and the upcoming IB pinning. The Superintendent noted a substitute teacher declining a position and highlighted student participation at a legislative brunch. Key actions included the approval of an assessment settlement with 40 Steps, LLC concerning tax certiorari proceedings by reducing the 2024 and 2025 assessments. The Consensus Agenda covered various business items, including the approval of the Treasurer's, Budget Status, and Revenue Status Reports for periods in 2025, agreements for tumbling instruction and use of voting machines, a Partnership for Excellence with Empire State University, various field observation and clinical placements, approval for volunteer coaches and acceptance of a bassoon donation. Personnel actions included removals and appointments for non-instructional staff, the resignation of a Teacher Of The Deaf, a leave of absence for a Social Studies Teacher, an appointment for a Teaching Assistant, and tenure approval for a Coordinator of Support Services. The Board also approved the District Budget Guidelines, Process, and Calendar, which outlined priorities such as meeting student needs, cost evaluation, strategic fund balance utilization, public communication, and minimizing cuts during tax cap cycles. The Policy Committee reported on updating purchasing regulations and reviewing the Non Resident Student policy.