Agenda and Video can be viewed below. We will post minutes meeting when they become available.
SUMMARY OF MAY 12, 2020 VIRTUAL BOARD MEETING
APPARENTLY THERE ARE TWO MEETING AGENDAS. (NOT SURE IF ACCURATE). MORE THAN ONCE COMMENT ON DIFFERENT MEETING AGENDAS. WILL ASK JOANNE FOR BOTH. WILL POST THEM AS WE RECEIVE THEM.
Meeting called to Order by President Megan Ryan at 8:01. Pledge waived.
President Ryan began by by wishing all of North Merrick families and their children well, thanking our Teachers, Administration, Staff, Community for the support and patience. She then asked Joanne Long, district clerk to provide information on upcoming Board Election.
Joanne Long spoke about candidates who submitted applications to run for trustees for election: She received 4 petitions to run; Ed Corona, Tracey Miller, Hali Myron Herman and Lisa Katz.
Discussed ballots. (See what CRONM posted on website and FB page). No voting in person. All voting in absentee ballot. All ballots mailed must be received by Joanne by June 9, 2020 by 5 pm. BALLOTS MUST BE MAILED IN THE ENVELOPE RECEIVED. THEY CANNOT BE HAND DELIVERED TO DISTRICT. JOANNE WILL NOT ACCEPT HAND DELIVERED BALLOTS.
To tally: don't know how long it will take time to tally absentee ballots. Joanne and clerks will start a 5 pm night off; June 9. Once results are in, they will provide information to public.
Rob Crowley asked question: how does someone get ballot if they do not get in mail? If you have kids in college, they can vote via absentee but need to get ballots?
Joanne-- they can call her and she will assist
Question about checking to see if you are registered to vote: Joanne said that they can check district website, there is link to see if you are registered to vote or call 516-571-2411 this is number for Nassau County, or you can call Joanne.
Meeting Started: Megan Ryan:
"The Board of Education approves the following: WHEREAS, the State of New York, along with the entire nation and world, is in the midst of the COVID-19 (AKA the novel coronavirus) pandemic, a public health emergency unprecedented in modern times; WHEREAS, on March 16, 2020, Governor Cuomo issued Executive Order 202.4 which suspended the requirements of the Open Meetings Law concerning board of education meetings; and WHEREAS, as permitted by Executive Order 202.1, the Board of Education’s meeting tonight will be conducted via www.youtube.com with no public participation. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Board of Education hereby suspends all policies pertaining to the format for this meeting, including Policy 1120 which provides for public participation and comment at Board of Education meetings."
2. ROUTINE APPROVALS
A. Approval of Minutes - April 7 and BOCES Vote April 21, 2020
B. Approval of Warrants, Wires and Budget Transfers
C. Approval of Treasurer's Report
The above all approved unanimously by Board
PUBLIC COMMENTS-- Joanne received emails, per Meg Ryan, will go on through later on in agenda--public comments-Joanne was concerned that we bypassed this, but Meg Ryan indicated we would save this to end.
Footnote CRONM sent email to board to discuss Business items C-G before voting. Board did not discuss items C-G before doing consent vote.
4. BUSINESS
A. The Board of Education adopts the proposed budget for the 2020-21 school year in the amount of $34,178,656.
NOT ALL TRUSTEES VOTED TO APPROVE BUDGET!
Crowley and Enella were nays and Ryan, Corona, Miller, Gordon and Lentini yays. Budget passed. Crowley and rest of trustees did note that Mr. McDaid did a phenomenal job in presenting budget and crunching numbers.
Sadly no discussion as to why there was opposition. Only references to discussion was that Crowley and Enella apparently been voicing objections for last 2 months. Discussions about objections to budget obviously done in Executive Session because there was nothing discussed during the open meetings for last two months.
B. The Board of Education adopts the 2020-21 Property Tax Report Card for the North Merrick Union Free School District.
Some discussion:
There was a question as to whether the report was mailed: card not being mailed, filed with state department. All in favor of mailing report card to state---
THIS WAS UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED
C. The Board of Education authorizes the Superintendent of Schools to submit the online Letter of Intent for the 2020/21 school year for services provided by BOCES in an amount not to exceed $2.2 million.
THIS WAS UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED
D. The Board of Education authorizes the budget transfer as follows: Account To: 2250.400.04; Contract Services; $150,000. Account From: A9060.801.04; Health Insurance; $150,000. Reason: Additional costs for transportation of special education students.
THIS WAS UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED
E. The Board of Education approves the agreement with Textbook Central for the 2020-21 school year to purchase textbooks for North Merrick students attending non-public schools.
THIS WAS UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED
F. The Board of Education approves the legal notice for the 2020-21 budget/trustee vote, as attached.
THIS WAS UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED
G. The Board of Education approves the process of receiving bids electronically pursuant to Governor Cuomo's Executive Order during the Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) Crisis, as detailed in the mailing.
THIS WAS UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED
5. PERSONNEL ACTIONS REPORT
A. The Board of Education approves the Personnel Actions Report, as detailed in the mailing.
THIS WAS UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED
6. SPECIAL SERVICES
A. The Board of Education approves the (64) sixty-four IEPs which were developed by the committee on Special Education,as detailed in the mailing.
THIS WAS UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED
B. The Board of Education approves the (22) twenty-two IEPs which were developed by the Committee on Preschool Special Education.
THIS WAS UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED
7. REPORT OF COMMITTEES
A. High School -- Corona spoke to fast!! sorry could not catch. Micheal Hughes named Assistant Principal for Calhoun. Central HS settled with BOCES, $600,000.00--selling of land and rent.
3 H.S. Had parade. Teachers went to schools and Seniors drove through parking lot with names of their where they are going to school in fall
B. School Community Relations/PTA Council-- Senaik gave update indicating and praising support from PTA Presidents
C. Buildings & Grounds 8.
COMMUNICATIONS THIS IS WHERE PRESIDENT READ AN ADDRESSED SOME OF THE QUESTIONS:
First email from: Natalie Katini (sic) sorry for misspelling
Very upset and objected to Gates and Cuomo having input into education and guidelines. Sorry, Meg Ryan read email too fast and we got every 5th word. Board dully noted objection.
SECOND EMAIL: From Fiori(sic) Family
This is Camp Avenue family writing to tell Dr. Seniak praising their children's teachers. Greves and (sorry again, it was muffled and we could not get the name, please email CRONM your email and we will post) and Dr. Bromberg. Teachers are going above and beyond for daughters, showing love and support for camp avenue, making distance learning easy, teachers called and emailed and sent birthday wishes, continue to go above and beyond, shout out Mrs Talbot to technology, to Dr. Bromberg, "our school is place of love and comfort thank you for our teachers at camp avenue!!!"
THIRD EMAIL FROM "Jim" 2 kids in first grade at OMR, any plans for next year if we have to continue with long distance learning? President, differed to Dr. Seniak for response. Seniak: Awaiting for guidance from Cuomo. Cant do or plan anything until they get guidance. "At this time, planning for unknown, no solid plans for next year until we get guidance from gov"
FOURTH EMAIL FROM "Mike"
Will district continue to provide the online resources such as XL Math, RAZ kids and happy numbers for summer time? Seniak, Yes. Will have more information on this at end of June. (Residents please follow up with district on this!)
Will district remove certain restrictions and unlock school grounds for exercise and activities? Seniak- "waiting for clarification from Cuomo as to whether we can." If allowed, will re open.
FIFTH EMAIL: SORRY COULD NOT CATCH INFORMATION, THERE WAS STATIC ON LINE. Email was objection and complaint as to Gates Foundation having any input on school education curriculum
SIXTH EMAIL-- MARY KEENE. SO HAPPY BOARD ANSWERED ALL QUESTIONS!
Budget:
How has our current budget been impacted since the schools closed Monday, March 16th?
No major impact. We have had savings on security costs, transportation, costs for extra curricular activities and professional development, utilities. No further elaboration. No figure provided as to savings.
What has been the cost of implementing long distance learning?
No cost to district at all. Many of the companies providing services to district at no cost or minimal cost.
Where were any new budget items needed (as a result of NY state closing) and please be specific as to the cost of each budget item?
No no budget items were needed.
Have we saved any money from the 2019/2020 budget with the schools closing? Please provide specifics.
Yes. District saved $$ on security, extra curricula activities, professional development. No specific number provided.
When will the finalized budget for 2020-2021 be presented to voters?
"Working on It" Budget approved by Board. No answer
BOE Election:
When will the ballots be mailed to the residents?
Per Seniak and Joanne, working on getting them sent out by May 25th. At printers now.
When residents mail their ballots to the school district, how will the ballots be kept secured?
there is a metal ballot box under lock and key. ballot secured there. Dont know where box is kept. Seniak did not elaborate on how the ballots are kept secured.
2020-2021 School Year
Is the district coming up with a long term plan for next year in case the state is closed again?
Per Seniak, yes. Working on it. Need guidance from Cuomo. Surveys have been sent to residents and teachers and based upon answers, will use to assist on creating plan.
If the schools are closed again next year, will students get a math lesson daily? A reading lesson daily? A daily writing lesson? Science? Social studies? Specials?
Cannot give definitive answer regarding next year without answers to above and guidance from Cuomo.
Board Read email from Anna Higgins.
1. In light of the impact of COVID on all government operations, including the post office and their mail delivery, do you think that mailing out the ballots 6 day before June 9, 2020 or on June 2, 2020 will give residents enough time to return the ballot by the June 9 deadline? Mail typically takes between 2-3 days to be delivered, assuming it is sent on June 2, residents may and could receive it by June 5 or 6 th latest and the ballot may not reach the district in time by June 9, if residents chose to mail the ballot.
Per Senaik-- Ballots are at printers as we speak. Goal is to mail them out by May 25, 2020. That is less than 2 weeks before the election. Hopefully Board can get them out sooner.
2. Why are you giving residents such a short period of time to use and send out the absentee ballots?
See response above.
3. Will you post the ballots on website for easy access like most districts have already done?
Per Joanne, she wants to follow the law and district guidelines. While the ballot is generic, in order for it to count, it NEEDS TO BE SENT IN THE ENVELOPE THAT IT COMES IN AND RESIDENT NEEDS TO SIGN THE ENVELOPE AND MAIL IT IN. IF THE BALLOT IS NOT MAILED IN THE ENVELOPE IT IS INVALID AND WILL NOT COUNT.
Rob Crowley asked whether the ballots were personalized and inquired why they could not be posted on website just to assist those residents who may not receive ballots in time?
Per Joanne, if you dont' receive ballot, please call or email her. She wants to avoid issues. Ballot has to be sent an old affidavit and returned in you cannot bring in the ballot very specific envelope have to sign outside of envelope, could not accept walk ins.
4. How are ballots going to be counted?
This was not elaborated. Understood that Joanne and "clerks" will be counting. How it was counted, either by hand or put into machine, we dont know.
5. What steps has the Board and district taken or adopted to ensure that every vote is counted, no ballot is not lost or there are no shenanigans with the counting or casting the votes? What security measures has the Board adopted to protect people's votes and make sure that there is no voter fraud?
Per Seniak, they take this "very seriously" "Joanne knows what she is doing" . They have counsel available to assist with process. Election inspectors were mentioned. Other than that, no specific steps and rest of question was not answered. There were no details given as to who these election inspectors are, how they are chosen, what qualifications they have. ----We know that these are unprecedented times and this is not slight to Joanne, who is amazing!, but we hope that Board does come up with plan, just in case there are well, shenanigans.... We encourage all residents to follow up with Dr. Seniak, Joanne Long and Board.
6. Please elaborate on board agenda items c-g and have a discussion before voting. Specifically,
C. The Board of Education authorizes the Superintendent of Schools to submit the online Letter of Intent for the 2020/21 school year for services provided by BOCES in an amount not to exceed $2.2 million. What does the letter of intent say? Will you post and make the letter available to the residents to see what the 2.2 million of their tax money is being spent on?
Unfortunately, they did not elaborate or discuss before doing a consent agenda. Other than indicating that this letter is available through "Foil" there was no further elaboration on the content of letter of intent, what the 2.2 million of our tax payer money is being spent. So basically, this question was not answered. Per Dr. Seniak, we were encouraged to FOIL for this information. Other districts such as Rockvile Center, post all backing, mailings, letters of intent and back up supporting all tax payer funded activities and actions.
D. The Board of Education authorizes the budget transfer as follows: Account To: 2250.400.04; Contract Services; $150,000. Account From: A9060.801.04; Health Insurance; $150,000. Reason: Additional costs for transportation of special education students. What are these budget transfers regarding and why are they being made now, during time that schools are closed?
Per Seniak, these are transfers made on prior approved transactions and are being made now because the prior approved transactions were for amounts that were too low and did not cover the expenditures. So apparently, Seniak previously represented to Board that these transactions required one amount, that amount was approved by Board and now those figures were to low. Guess we should FOIL for these as well.
E. The Board of Education approves the agreement with Textbook Central for the 2020-21 school year to purchase textbooks for North Merrick students attending non-public schools. Why is district buying textbooks for non public schools?
Per Seniak, these are required by law, without further elaboration.
F. The Board of Education approves the legal notice for the 2020-21 budget/trustee vote, as attached. What is legal notice? can it be provided to residents?
This appears to be referring to notice that CRONM posted earlier on their page.
G. The Board of Education approves the process of receiving bids electronically pursuant to Govenor Cuomo's Executive Order during the Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) Crisis, as detailed in the mailing
what bids are being considered and how will this process work?
Per Senaik, no bids. She just wanted to be proactive and have option available in the even this was necessary.
9. UNFINISHED BUSINESS
None.
10. NEW BUSINESS
Lentini indicating how proud he was of our north merrick community and being NM Resident.
11. ADJOURNMENT
We encourage all Residents to email Board and Seniak any questions they have.
Next meeting June 2, 2020. 6:00 p.m VIP Meeting.