Suffern Central School District

The board meeting commenced with a statement confirming the presence of all board members, with one exception. The initial action taken was a motion to enter into executive session. The purposes for the executive session included reviewing the employment history of a particular person with the Superintendent of Schools and the Assistant Superintendent for Administrative Operations and Human Resources, as well as reviewing business and finance matters related to a legal issue with the same administrative personnel. The board anticipated returning to the regular meeting session at approximately 7:30.

Key discussions included student board member reports covering academic league invitational, district-wide art show, Asian-American night, and a speech and debate competition. Student performances included a song from the Suffern Middle School production of "Annie" and a piece from the Suffern High School production of "Bye-Bye Birdie." The Superintendent announced that student Joy Yin was selected as a National Merit Scholarship Finalist. Additionally, the Superintendent provided updates regarding the upcoming budget and candidate vote scheduled for May 19th, information on petition availability for board positions, and concluded with the second budget workshop presentation. The budget presentation focused on projected revenues, including anticipated interest on investments and changes in state and Bosey's aid, alongside projected expenses, noting that salaries and benefits constitute the largest cost component. Two options for the proposed tax levy were presented, one including a $700,000 transfer to capital for the operating budget and another removing this transfer, resulting in a lower percentage increase in the budget-to-budget calculation.

The meeting commenced with a motion to enter executive session. The purposes for the executive session included reviewing legal matters concerning the district council with the superintendent and assistant superintendent for business and finance, and reviewing employment history of a specific individual with the superintendent and assistant superintendent for administrative operations and human resources.

The meeting included a student board member report covering several upcoming events and initiatives across various schools. Highlights included voter registration for eligible seniors, visits by the Heroes and Cool Kids program to discuss topics like resilience and social media safety, an elective fair, Civics Day, and food/blood drives. Reports from Suffern Middle School detailed mid-year check-ins and an orientation for incoming sixth-grade parents. Montabelloo is preparing for a Winter Olympics focus on character traits. Cherry Lane is launching a 'One School, One Book' initiative and celebrating Global Day of Play. R B Connor is holding a cereal drive, and Slosburg is participating in the New York State Pick a Reading Partner initiative. The Board also formally approved the minutes from the regular meeting of January 20th, 2026.

The meeting featured a discussion on upcoming events such as quarter-end activities, handball tournaments, and a concert featuring the bass chorus and other ensembles. Regent's exams were also mentioned. A significant portion of the meeting was dedicated to an overview by architects from Mamasi regarding the findings and opportunities for improving facilities at Suffern Central. The architectural review focused on needs related to instructional spaces, safety, student services, athletic and outdoor areas. Key deficiencies noted at the high school included a lack of student-focused experiences, poor entrance identity, dispersed student support services (Guidance and Nurse), inadequate music spaces lacking acoustical properties, and issues with athletic facilities like overcrowded fitness centers and underutilized wood/metal shops. For the middle school, discussions highlighted remote and scattered instructional spaces, poor condition of locker rooms, ventilation problems, water infiltration, and a poorly subdivided cafeteria. The overall theme of the facility review was modernizing instructional spaces to better prepare students for future endeavors.