Eastern Suffolk Board of Cooperative Educational Services

This document details the "PLAN Pilot" initiative by the Brentwood Union Free School District, focused on strategic alignment and instructional impact to enhance education through coordinated planning, partnership, and assessment. The plan aligns with "Graduation PLUS+" by emphasizing student voice, agency, and real-world learning through Performance-Based Learning and Assessment (PBLA). Key strategies include implementing a small, voluntary cohort with robust professional learning and coaching support, primarily targeting high-need students. Early data indicates positive outcomes, particularly for ELL and Special Education students, demonstrating improved pass rates and overall performance. The core philosophy prioritizes student voice and real-world learning over compliance-based approaches.

The board approved a series of professional services and facilities use contracts with various vendors, including Glen D. Cochrane, Kathleen A. Dinota, and Educational Learning Corporation, among others. Additionally, the board ratified collective bargaining agreements with the United Public Service Employees Union and the BOCES Educators of Eastern Suffolk Union, and approved classroom use agreements with the Bay Shore Union Free School District for summer special education programs. Financial actions included the approval of several contract amendments with companies such as Intellinetics, Mindex Technologies, and Senturo, as well as the formal adoption of the 2026-27 Eastern Suffolk BOCES budget totaling $549,486,759.

The board discussed highlights from the National School Boards Association Conference, focusing on governance, instructional practices, and educational leadership. Executive staff provided updates on the Sequoya Move Project, including relocation planning and senior leadership interviews. The board also reviewed the results of the SkillsUSA Regional Competition and provided updates on upcoming personnel searches and committee reports. A variety of professional services contracts and cooperative bidding resolutions were approved to support district operations for the upcoming fiscal year. Furthermore, the board authorized surplus property disposals, accepted several scholarship donations, and approved various student and staff educational travel requests.

The council discussed future meeting and liaison dates for the 2025-2026 term. Key topics included the Virtual Reference Collection participation, library automation systems, and an update regarding software transitions. The committee reviewed financial breakdowns for state aid, including operating, supplemental, and categorical budgets. Additionally, the council considered ideas for future liaison meetings, explored available library resources, discussed upcoming special education programming, reviewed regional institute highlights, and planned for library promotion initiatives, such as library tours.

The meeting featured a presentation from a student leader and advocate who discussed her experiences in youth advocacy, race relations, and her efforts to promote inclusivity within the school community. Key discussion topics included the challenges of balancing extracurricular commitments with academic responsibilities, the impact of local historical research on personal growth, and an account of a distressing encounter involving local law enforcement that prompted a review of police procedures. The committee also touched upon the importance of fostering diverse, multicultural environments in schools.