Thomas Frisbie

Key discussions and actions included accepting several non-instructional resignations and approving new probationary appointments for various aide positions. The Board accepted a resignation for retirement from an instructional staff member and approved an unpaid leave of absence for another. Appointments for mentorship and co-curricular positions were approved, along with coaching appointments for the Spring 2025-2026 season. The Board approved the second reading of several policies concerning the evaluation of the Superintendent and administrative staff, compensation, and support services. Substitute lists and special education placements were approved. Facility use requests for various schools, including gymnasiums and fields, were approved for numerous organizations for future dates. The Treasurer's Report was accepted as of January 31, 2026. Resolutions were approved regarding a special education service contract with Hawthorne Cedar Knolls U.F.S.D. and opting out completely from the business investment tax exemption under Section 485-b of the RPTL. Memoranda of Agreement with the Wallkill Teachers' Association regarding a Seal of Biliteracy Coordinator and a Superintendent's Conference Day were also approved. Finally, an extension of the Pupil Transportation Contract with Orange County Transit, LLC, covering school years through 2031-2032, was approved.

The meeting commenced with public comment concerning protocols for non-local law enforcement presence on District grounds, confirming that entry without a judicial warrant is prohibited. Committee reports provided updates on several areas: the Audit Committee reviewed a draft internal audit report with no findings; the Budget Committee noted savings from retirements and planned to submit a Tax Levy by March 1st. The Buildings & Grounds Committee discussed Phase III construction items and reviewed the completed Building Condition Survey. The Curriculum/TAG Committee reported on updates to the TAG program, the introduction of an Agricultural Science elective and FFA organization, and revisions to English Language Arts electives for the upcoming school year; an update on the UPK program timeline was also provided. The Health and Safety Committee began reviewing the District-Wide Safety Plan for 2026-2027 and explored additional security options. The Legislative Committee reported on advocacy efforts with Ulster County legislators concerning Foundation Aid, UPK funding, and reserve funds. The Technology Committee reviewed infrastructure improvements, the District Disaster Recovery Plan, and updates on the new Athletics website and AI adoption initiatives; Parent-Square was discussed as a potential replacement for current messaging systems. The Consent Agenda addressed numerous items, including accepting resignations, approving instructional and non-instructional appointments, accepting a retirement, approving an unpaid leave of absence, approving mentor and co-curricular appointments, approving second readings for several policies (including Superintendent Evaluation), approving substitute lists, and approving Special Education placements. Further approvals involved the use of various school facilities for community practices and events, acceptance of Treasurer's Reports, approval of a Special Education Service Contract, approval of two Memoranda of Agreement with the Wallkill Teachers' Association, approval of opting out completely from the Business Investment Tax Exemption, and approval of an Extension of Contract for Pupil Transportation.

The document content suggests an agenda item pertaining to the approval of a Pupil Transportation Contract Extension, potentially listed under section 7.F. The presence of numerical identifiers such as '20260213141102704' and '20260213123244129' suggests a reference or tracking number associated with the item or meeting proceedings.

The meeting included a presentation on The Design Team Committee and The Portrait of a Graduate. Committee reports covered the Audit Committee, which is scheduled to approve the single audit report that has no findings. The Budget Committee reviewed the roll-over budget and discussed advocacy efforts for a 3% increase in Foundation Aid, as the Governor proposed a 1% increase. The Legislative Committee detailed advocacy items, including seeking a 3% Foundation Aid increase, extending waivers for retiree earnings, repealing the electric bus mandate unless fully funded, and reforming the Property Tax Cap. The Policy Committee reviewed several policies scheduled for first reading. The Wellness Committee reported on elementary school events, DARE program completion, CPR/AED classes for staff, middle school mental health initiatives, a high school Health Fair, and the upcoming purchase of a food trailer using restricted cafeteria funds. The Student Representative provided updates on SGA hosting Alumni Day, athletic achievements including a senior wrestler breaking an all-time win record, and music events such as the Winter Concert and Play-a-thon. The consent agenda addressed several personnel actions including rescinding one appointment, accepting multiple resignations/retirements (some pending new appointments), approving new non-instructional and instructional appointments, and awarding tenure to an Assistant Superintendent. Further consent items approved appointments for the After-School Academic Intervention Program and coaching positions, approved substitute lists, placements for Special Education students, and use of facilities for various groups. The Board also accepted the Treasurer's Reports, approved the Single Audit Report for the 2024-2025 fiscal year, approved 2024-2025 tuition rates for foster children, and approved resolutions authorizing a contract for Natural Gas Supply, an Installment Purchase Agreement for technology equipment via Ulster County BOCES, and a Last Chance Agreement with an employee. The meeting included an executive session regarding potential litigation.

Key discussion topics included an update on the TAG Program, an update on High School Elective Courses, and an update on Universal Pre-Kindergarten. Agricultural Education was reviewed, with plans confirmed to offer one section of Agricultural Science for the 2026-2027 school year, which involves curriculum development and promotion via the Elective Expo. Proposed English Language Arts (ELA) electives for 2026-2027, including Sports Journalism and Music as Poetry, were detailed based on student survey results. The update on the 2025-2026 Universal Prekindergarten (UPK) Program outlined current enrollment figures across in-house and contracted sections, emphasizing the use of Play-Based Learning. The timeline for the 2026-2027 UPK lottery application and lottery drawing was also presented, noting that transportation would not be provided.