We were glad to see some new faces. Please continue to come or livestream the meetings!!! Stay informed about what is happening in your schools!

Link to September, October, November, and December’s meetings can be found by clicking here:

As expected, better of part public comments focused on residents’ concerns about masks in school and the current mask mandate. Residents came up and spoke for and against the masks. Board’s attorney addressed Board and residents advising that the Mask mandate law passed by Gov. Hochul is legal and enforceable. The attorney referenced the lawsuit filed by Massapequa and Locust Valley School Districts challenging Hochul’s authority, which was dismissed by the State Court ruling that the law was not illegal and School Districts and Boards, as arms of the State and have to follow this law. As for the County Executive mandate issued last week, while may be viewed very favorably by the residents, does not trump state law. Blakeman does not have authority to over rule Gov. Hochul.

The attorney also discussed the threat received from the Commissioner of Education in response to Blakeman’s mandate reaffirming that state has control over the school districts and if districts choose not to follow the State Law , the Districts could face the following repercussions:

1. Loss of state funding, which state has authority to withhold

2. Fines

3. Commissioner of Education as ability to take action to remove school board members to disobey lawful order

Bottom line, Blakeman’s order does not have jurisdiction over schools and the schools have to follow the law of the land, which unfortunately or fortunately (depending on everyone’s opinions) requires masks in schools for now.

During the public comment portion there was a resident addressing confusing information from an email received from Interim Principal Talbot about quarantine and return to school. Dr. Seniuk noted that the email may have contained an error and that a clarifying email on the topic would be sent to those parents.

Yellow card debate continues!!!

For those familiar, Yellow Cards were implemented three years ago. They were not received warmly by the residents. Most of residents hated the cards. Feel free to search past summaries of board meetings for why the cards were hated and summaries of debates during Board meetings on our website and facebook page. In 2019, Meg Ryan moved to remove the cards citing resident dislike for the cards and was outvoted. Today, Mary Keene moved to remove the yellow cards again citing resident dislike for the cards and also discussing the potential to spread germs with people passing cards ect… The motion was seconded and the Board discussed the cards. Meg Ryan discussed fact that while the cards initially were used in a way that made it harder for residents’ voices and concerns be heard, since she became President, there is more transparency and residents can ask more than one question when at the mike.

For those not aware, only North Merrick residents and non-residents who have permission of the Board President can speak to the Board during meetings. There was discussion that the old way required the resident to state their address when coming to mike and since the videos are being livestreamed, could be an invasion of privacy. Before comment cards, residents who spoke at the mike had their name and address taken down by Joanne and put in the meeting minutes which were then filed and made public on the district website. Anyone looking on line would have access to addresses. Currently, resident fill out yellow comment cards with their name and address and indicate the topic they want to address with Board. Their name is called and they come up to the mike and discuss their issue.

Joanne Long made a compelling case for keeping the cards because it made it easier for her to keep track of resident name spelling and this way she just had to focus on taking notes on the questions at the mike.

The motion failed and yellow cards will continue.

FOIL REQUESTS

During one residents time at mike the topic of being able see and view Board documents came up, with resident demanding to see certain documents. Residents are permitted access to all non privileged documents generated and kept by the Board as well as District. All you have to do is fill out a FOIL request and submit it to Mr Mcdaid. You can access the FOIL doc by going to Districts website or click here.

If you have questions, please email Anna Higgins ahiggins@cronm.com.

Remember February starts Budget Month. CRONM will attend budget meetings and report back.

Please stay safe and healthy!

Next Board Meeting February 8, 2022.