BOE MEETING AUGUST 22 2024

Summary

The Board of Education convened on August 22nd, discussing preparations for reopening schools post-recess. Dr. Selena highlighted successful orientations and ongoing construction projects, emphasizing the excitement for the upcoming school year. The board approved various meeting minutes and financial reports, showing compliance and readiness. They also addressed a subpoena from the NYS Department of Health regarding alleged fraudulent vaccinations, pledging to uphold health and safety standards. The meeting concluded with a public comment from the PFT, expressing anticipation for the school year and promoting a community blood drive.

Takeaways

• 📅 The board of education's regular meeting took place on August 22nd, with a moment of silence and pledge to the flag.
• 🏫 Dr. Selena provided an update on school preparations, mentioning orientations for pre-K and incoming sixth graders, and the readiness of the buildings post-Labor Day.
• 🎉 There's a sense of excitement as schools are set to open, with many positive activities and events highlighted on the school calendar.
• 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Dr. Selena observed happy faces among students during orientations and noted the ongoing construction project at John H plus Fields.
• 🏈 High school students have returned, with the football team assembling and preparing for their season.
• 📈 A superintendent's conference day is scheduled for the following week, along with a new teacher institute.
• 🗳️ Routine approvals were conducted, including minutes from previous meetings and financial reports, with motions carried by the board.
• 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Board members expressed their observations and feelings about the orientations and the return of students, noting the positive vibe and excitement.
• 🤖 Discussion about the use of artificial intelligence was tabled until an advisory from the New York State School Board Association is received.
• 🏛️ There's a proposal to form committees to handle various school district matters, such as budgeting, facilities, and student well-being.
• 🚨 The board received a subpoena from the New York State Department of Health regarding potential fraudulent vaccination documents, with a commitment to cooperate and prioritize health and welfare.

Q & A

When was the board of education's regular meeting held?

The board of education's regular meeting was held on August 22nd.

What was the main topic of Dr. Selena's superintendent's comments?

Dr. Selena's comments mainly focused on the preparations for the upcoming school year, including building conditions, staff and student orientations, and the excitement of reopening schools.

What activities did Dr. Selena mention taking place at the schools?

Dr. Selena mentioned pre-K orientations, sixth graders visiting the middle school, high school students returning, and the football team assembling on the field.

What is the significance of the mention of 'Labor Day' in the script?

The mention of 'Labor Day' signifies the anticipated reopening of schools for students after the summer recess, with the return planned right after the holiday.

What did the board members express their excitement about during the meeting?

The board members expressed excitement about the return of students to schools, the ongoing construction projects, and the use of social media to disseminate information.

What is the role of the school calendar mentioned in the script?

The school calendar is mentioned as a resource that lists all the events for the school year and is a tool for keeping the community informed about school activities.

What motions were made regarding the approval of minutes from previous meetings?

Motions were made to approve the minutes of the June 14th, July 8th 2024 organizational meeting, and the July 23rd 2024 special meeting.

What was the discussion about forming committees during the board meeting?

There was a discussion about forming committees such as a budgeting and finance committee, a buildings and facilities committee, and a security and student well-being committee to guide certain decisions within the district and to give people a sense of ownership in the process.

What was the context of the mention of a subpoena from the New York State Department of Health?

The subpoena from the New York State Department of Health was related to an investigation into potential fraudulent vaccinations in the schools, which raised concerns about endangering the health and welfare of staff and students.

What was the board's stance on the use of credit cards as mentioned in the informational reports section?

The board clarified that they do have a policy on credit card use and that the claims auditor report might have been misleading. They intended to review and potentially update the policy if necessary.