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12/14/15 BOE Meeting

12/14/2015

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Public Comments and Response Notes:

Below are notes taken from the Public Comment portion of the BOE meeting.  They are not verbatim.  The time of each comment is provided for further review in the video. 
-57:59 Speaker 1: I am here tonight because I wanted to address something that Mr. Zopf said at the November 23rd board meeting regarding parent involvement in our school district.  You mentioned that these are business meetings for the district, and of course you are correct about that, but they are also meetings where we get to hear a lot about what’s happening in our schools like we’ve heard tonight and a lot more than that.  We review programs PTO reports etc.   I come to these meetings because I am interested in the business of the district. I want to see how my elected board members vote and how my money is being spent etc. Mr. Zopf (and you know not to single you out you seem like a nice guy) but at this meeting you suggested that parents should instead be attending the scheduled superintendent forums to discuss issues and ask more complicated questions that we might have about the district. You mentioned low attendance at the last two forums and you told parents that it doesn’t send a good message that people really are interested in finding out what is going on in the district.  Well, as you have noticed we have a broad number of parents at board meetings every two weeks.  I myself have talked to teachers, administrators, even former board members who have expressed that this is the most parent involvement they have ever seen in the district.  Someone even said that this is the most they’ve ever seen in their entire careers.  I personally often have to hire and pay a babysitter so that I can attend these meetings.  My husband works for a large corporation.  He’s never home for dinner most of his day is spent in meetings with upper management.  Most days he has to sit through several meetings and is forced to work overtime in order to get his work done.  My point here is that more meetings isn’t necessarily a real solution to the parental involvement in the district.  I’m here because I want to see you do your business I’m not able to watch the Board of Ed. Vote at a superintendent’s forum.  I’m not able to make a statement for the public record or have our leadership answer me on public record at a forum.  And I am not willing or able to pay another babysitter so I can attend another meeting.  You are all volunteers I appreciate that I know how that is.   I volunteer extensively in this community as well.  I’m on the board of the Weeplay Project, I’m active in the PTO at Sargent, I’m a mom, I’m an artist, most days I feel like I invented overworked and underpaid.  So I appreciate what you are doing here.  Much has been said from this board about wanting to have a culture of respect and I hear you.  The board wants to have a respectful relationship with the parents rather than an adversarial one and I agree with that.  But respect works both ways.  When you say it doesn’t send a good message that the parents are not attending these off the record forums who is this message being sent to?  I ask because every week after a board of ed meeting parents are watching our comments and statements and many of them reach out to me and say thank you for speaking out wondering how they can get more involved so I don’t’ think it’s the parents that are sending the bad message.  –Time is up-

-1:01:16 Mr. Zopf: I just want to say that you know I apologize if you misinterpreted my comments of if I said them incorrectly.  I wasn’t trying to discourage the people who are coming to this meeting what I was pointing out is that we have other forums which are better suited to asking questions that require long and complicated answers.  You know like I said this is a business meeting where we are trying to get through a whole thing and so I said I certainly don’t want to discourage people from coming here and watch us in operation, but there are certain questions that people ask that are complicated questions that are better suited for a forum where you just go back and forth and that is all I was trying to say.  
​-1:01:57 Speaker 2: I was also at the last policy meeting and one of the policies that was on the agenda but the board didn’t get to was the parent involvement policy and I have a couple of questions about how it’s written.  There are parts that are in italics and asks for examples about what our district is doing to fulfill the goals of the policy and I wondered if this was something that was going to be discussed in the policy and actually filled in for the policy when it gets reprinted.  I only recently discovered that parental involvement is actually required by the law especially in the case of title 1 districts and the policy states that parental involvement is “essential to student achievement and thus encourages such involvement in school educational planning and operations.”  I am wondering if this plan is included in the district improvement plan or if it’s a plan in it’s own right.  I’d love to hear Dr. Walkley and the Board Member’s thoughts on how this district is doing with drawing parents in to be more involved.  In fact the policy states that the board along with it’s superintendent and other appropriate staff will conduct with the involvement of parents an annual evaluation of content and effectiveness of this parental involvement policy and the improvement of academic quality of title 1 schools including the identification of barriers to greater participation by parents and activities under this policy and the revision of parent involvement policies necessary for more effective involvement to facilitate this review the district will conduct the following activities and there is a blank… And I’m just wondering if that is going to be written.  Seven years ago I was very involved with the former superintendent Dr. Aefsky's Parent University and that was actually fairly successful.  We had over I think 150 parents the first time we did it but it was a lot of work and you Mr. Zopf were in there also.  So I think that is kind of great but I think well if no one is coming to the forums maybe I think family fun nights are really well attended so maybe that’s a place to be where the parents are.  Sometimes parents are as you all know very busy and sometimes you have to come to the parents.  I also just wanted to mention a great book I’ve been reading called “Beyond the Bake sale” I actually picked it up because I thought it was about fundraising, which obviously I’m very excited about.  It’s really about parent involvement and how parent involvement is essential to a successful district and it actually made me think totally differently and the one thing it says is the first thing we have to think is that every single person thinks that they want the best for their children. We all need to think of that.
-1:05:01 Christine Galbo:  the speaker asked about the process for policy review so I wanted to comment on that piece.  Yes, the policy as you saw has the recommendations that come from NYSBA things that are in gray are notes for the board and things that are in italics or bold are sort of decisions that they suggest are made at the local level.  So the policy has been sent to us has a core and then pieces to discuss so certainly the section about the process for the annual evaluation and all those things that’s something that we want to go over but we did want to give a little more time.  We had a short amount of time left at that meeting as you know.  So we will be looking at that in February.  (Is this a brand new policy)  This is not a brand new policy.  There is a policy already.   

Dr. Walkley:  and parent involvement discussion is in the Title 1 Grant.  And there is a part of that grant where a plan must be inserted. 
 
Melissa Thompson:  Just to clarify, this is what was handed out on that night and our prior policy was policy was 3251 so this policy 1900 once it’s discussed at the policy committee and then brought back to the board will replace policy 3251.  

-1:06:51. Speaker 3:  I have three things and I will try to get it under the three minutes.  Dr. Walkley the APPR is and has been a hot topic since it’s inception.  The governor through legislation as we all know changed the way the APPR is to be done.  Would you be willing to give a workshop at an upcoming board meeting and explain the various components of it?  For example scores, SLO’s, lesson plans, archival material.  Also can you share what part of the APPR is negotiated between the district and the teachers association?  What are the differences between the APPRs for teachers and administrators and finally is there an evaluation in place for coaches, advisors and other appointments for extra pay or is that a case where if you’ve done it in the past or previously you continue to be appointed. Also, on tonight’s agenda under the employment for professional staff item D you have IRP review teachers at Beacon High School effective date January 4- January 25th 2016 and item E is for IRP January RCT prep effective January 4- January 25th 2016.  Do these programs run at the same time and if so how will those teachers whose names appear on both lists fulfill those obligations to both programs?  And finally, Meredith had brought up the point about parent involvement communication I guess sometime in the beginning of the year the board appointed a parent communicator for $1500 does that count toward the parent involvement in terms of parent communications.
-1:09:33 Dr. Walkley:  We just recently appointed our parent communicator I think it was at the last board meeting and she will be working with us to set up additional parent opportunities.  I’m glad you gave me a list of your APPR questions I didn’t get them all but I can certainly provide information on another day. 
(Inaudible, talking about workshop, she says she certainly can)
That’s a question I think we need to ask Dr. Sieverding he has recommended those people to provide that particular service and it is during the same time but it would most likely be different nights.  

-1:10:50 Speaker 4: I attended the High School Players Christmas Carol it was done very nice and it was quite a spectacle.  We had a little problem Friday night with the audio but the students were told if anything malfunctioned you keep going and they did so they did what they were to do.  I thought the Santa Claus was terrible.  For the simple fact that it’s first impression and I don’t think he even had the word first so you can do better next time with making a better Santa Claus or a different Santa Claus next year.  That’s not a joke just so you know folks.  Last time I was here we had a meeting a safety meeting.  It was myself, Dr. Walkley, Bill Zopf, Craig from the Poughkeepsie journal was here and the next day San Bernardino happened.  We all know what happened in San Bernardino right folks?  It’s the norm. It’s the norm now.  Know how to get out.  Know two ways of getting out.  Get out.  Now we teach our students ABC’s and 123’s and you need to start telling our students how to get out of the building fast.  My comments need no reply tonight.
no comment
-1:12:46 Speaker 5:  At a recent BOE meeting I’ve been asking about district procedure on test refusals.  I’ve been asking about this for a while you know it’s a topic I’m interested in and interested in hearing about.  I do feel that it’s very important for the district to include parent stakeholders in the decision making process for this.  I was encouraged at the last meeting and when the superintendent indicated that there would be a meeting coming that would be discussing this issue and so my two question are what was the result of this meeting and can you please report on the status of the Beacon City School District’s plan on how parent test refusals will be handled as the school year progresses and secondly how will this plan reflect the priorities of parent stakeholders.
-1:14:08 Dr. Walkley:  Actually there’s been two meetings of the group the group is made up of principals and each PTO was asked to send two representatives to this meeting or committee.  The result of the meeting ist that we are working on a letter that the PTO’s can share with the parents about opting out and talking about a process.  I’m hoping that you all have heard the news today, as we talked in that particular meeting things are changing at the state level and with the governor and please check and get online and see what’s happening.  There was a board of regents meeting today where they voted on a proposal that has been given to the governor about having a moratorium on how they use testing and how they use scores and I think many of you are concerned about how they use scores that are linked to students and scores that are linked to teachers and principals and the governor has had a advisory group in which the Commissioner Elia, is a member.  There is a lot online right now and we were just talking about it with the board members about where are we because the regents made a vote today and the governor has his committee so where is that so watch the news the next couple of days and see what is happening. So who knows what is going to happen with testing but this committee will go forward.  We decided to wait until January to meet again partly because of the time of the year, but also because the board of regents does have a scheduled meeting the 13th or 15th of January.  I’m hoping there will be more clarity about how the state is going to go forward at a time.

The PTO’s selection of members they are communicators for parents and I believe that they are sharing information in their PTO meetings.

-1:17:09 Speaker 6:  My questions tonight are for the members of the school board because my direct questions to the Superintendent whose hefty salary is paid for by our tax dollars have been completely ignored meeting after meeting.  So to this full board I do want to thank you all again for your service.  You generously volunteer your time for this district and I know that this year has been a particularly rough one.  That being said you were all elected by the people of this community to represent us and our children and I feel that many of you haven’t been doing that and I would like to know why.  When the superintendent was asked when the school year started without classrooms having the proper and necessary supplies and week after week fails to come up with an answer.  I would like to know why the board doesn’t call her out on it.  When the superintendent ignores questions from community members such as what is your plan for this district which she was asked at three board meetings in a row I would like to know why our elected representatives are letting her get away with it.  When the head of the Beacon Arts and Ed Foundation who does so much to help this district makes a request at a school board meeting for help with costumes for a school play and the superintendent responds by rolling her eyes in disgust which is clearly displayed on a video, how do you not react with outrage.  You continue to throw around the word respect and you seem to forget that respect needs to be earned.  It is not earned by blatantly ignoring parents who take the time out of their busy schedules to volunteer their time for this district as well to try and fix the mess that this district is in. It is not earned by transferring 27 teachers with no explanation and expecting the community to get over it and forget it happened. It is not earned by continuing to remind us that you don’t have to allow public comment at Board Meetings.  Two meetings ago the President of the Teachers Union got up and spoke about the fact that there are teachers who feel disrespected, a sentiment that many of them have shared with me personally.   And Melissa Thompson responded by admonishing the public for applauding this comment because he showed disrespect by going over his time.  At the last board meeting Bill Zopf also admonished parents for not attending the forums and therefore not really wanting to communicate well let’s face it we all know that the forums are just an attempt to move this conversation off of the public record and keep the superintendent’s disgusted eye rolling off of the videos.  Do you really think that turning the tables on the community that elected really is the best way to handle this situation?  As the superintendent is very fond of pointing out everyone makes mistakes.  When you hired her without interviewing anyone else I’m sure that you believed that she ws the best person for Beacon but that simply hasn’t been the case.  Since she first took over and cancelled the overnight Sharpe Reservation trip things have been going steadily downhill for students, staff, and the community as a whole.  So my final question to the school board is what are you going to do about it.  I don’t expect an answer now I’m used to being ignored here anyway.  But I do hope that you are discussing these very real issues in your executive sessions and that you come up with a solution.  Because ignoring or spinning it won’t work we will not be fooled, we will not be shamed, and we will not give up.  I sincerely hope that you all have a nice holiday with your families.
-1:20:17 Dr. Walkley: so I would like to correct some of the information that you’ve given this evening.  First off, the Sharpe Trip was never cancelled (audience: it wasn’t cancelled and then reinstated after parents) The Sharpe Trip was never cancelled the Sharpe Trip was always on we did have a time to discuss the overnight.  It was the issue of overnight but the Sharpe Trip itself was never cancelled.  IN addition to that, if I role my eyes then I apologize for that.  I don’t, I will take a look at the videotape.  I certainly don’t recall doing that.  It may be because when I was in high school I used to do all the costumes.  I may have put my eyes up (and you are shaking your head no) but I don’t believe that I rolled my eyes.  I will look at the tape.  I used to do all the costumes for the High School where I grew up and I used to sew and as a matter of fact I was remembering when Mrs. Heuer I was remembering in particular a play where my mother who was just a little bit of a hoarder with clothing actually turned out to work out very well because there was a play where we needed a suit and a suit that she wore in college was the suit that we were able to use in the play.  So, again I apologize but I think more I was remembering my own experience with costumes.

1:22:14 Melissa Thompson: I’m not sure how best to reply you made a number of statements you know many times the board may ask questions of the superintendent after hearing the concerns of the community in other venues.  You spoke about the schools not having supplies, well the superintendent certainly isn’t in each building each day with each teacher to ensure that each one has what they need, and school start everywhere with issues with supplies or the right books.  That’s not only here in Beacon, but to think that we as members of the Board of Education didn’t ask Anne Marie or Dr. Walkley to fill us in on when those books were ordered and when they were delivered and when the supplies were received of course we ask those questions.  Do we admonish anyone for not having what they needed on that day publicly, no.  That’s not my behavior or anyone on this board of education but to think we are not asking the tough questions is mistaken.  I’ll answer to the statement I made when Mr. Burns was at the podium.  I was frustrated certainly.  The Board of Education I’m sure many of the people in this room have been at the policy committee meetings where the board not just myself but the board is very interested in respect and very interested in holding speakers to three minutes.  Now we all know that I am not the great keeper to three minutes because I want people to finish their thought or I want people to get that last question out or whatever the case may be.  But I have taken flack from the public and flack from the board that we didn’t do that so we put steps in place.  Mr. White’s doing a great job keeping everybody at their three minutes and it’s not an issue.  That night I was certainly frustrated.  Every piece of what our policy which we had just covered every piece, we will not speak beyond three minutes, we will not make statements about people, we will not raise our voices.  All of those things were done in his time.  Did that frustrate me, certainly, if it offended anyone that I was frustrated, I apologize, but I would be frustrated if he did it again.  And I might say something quite similar.

1:25:02 Kenya Gadsden: We’re not supposed to right?  (No, but if you’d like to say something) I surely would.  So, I just feel compelled to say a few things.  I think there are things happening in this district that as it relates to books that were ordered there is a process.  I want to say that there is a lot of adjusting that has happened in our last three years.  One not being on the board and this last two being here.  And what I’ve found is that there is a process and I also hear the parents saying that they want the superintendent to stay and they want to work with her but week after week that we’re here I constantly hear negativity and we try combat the negativity and try to find responses to aid us in moving forward.  I find that some of us are stuck and because we don’t speak to some of the things that are stated here they leave here as the truth.  So, when we are presenting things there is a big stickler, if you are going to present to me, present the facts that are factual.  If you have an opinion or an assumption then state that because there is a lot of confusion that we all know about.  I shy away from responding to certain people because the negative environment continues to fester so we are a board of nine people that are vested in the growth and development of our children in this district.  We are vested in seeing the parents and teachers and the administration collaborate for the good of the students.  We will have some bumps in the road.  We will have that.  We will have some disagreements.  We will have that. However, I think to continually po9nder on the same issues and ask them in an environment where we continually say you might not get the best answer t0 your question here.  Ask it elsewhere.  Not to take it off of the spotlight but to give you what you are asking for.  And so I think that we need to consider that if you ask your questions that don’t require the back and forth or the clarification out of this forum and you don’t get your answer then I think that we have another issue to deal with.  But I’m very frustrated with that I feel we are progressing and then we are digressing.  And I don’t want to do that.  I think at the end of the day everyday that passes our children are being affected by this.  So can we please consider when people are speaking search your facts out first?  Make sure that what you are hearing is factual and not opinion and then we can move on that.





1:28:09 Speaker 7:  I’m back again to ask a question about the same topic.  I wondering the district’s specific plan is to ensure that all elementary students are receiving technology, media instruction in the six day cycle.  As we saw in the South Avenue report they do have Library/Media instruction.  They do not have that at Forrestal.  They do not have that at Sargent.  I believe they have something at Glenham.  What are you doing to ensure that all students are getting media?  My second question is to the director of technology.  He stated in his presentation that he has reached out to the PTSO’s of the different schools to include them in his technology committee as of now Forrestal for sure because I am an executive board member has not been reached out to.  So, I encourage him to reach out to Forrestal PTSO specifically and all of the other PTSO’s who have not been reached out to.
1:29:35 Dr. Walkley: I’m glad Mr. Burke is still here.  This past week he somewhat spearheaded the hour of code.  The hour of code was an international celebration of children doing coding in schools.  All of our schools participated in the hour of code.  Which was an hour lesson about coding computers.  When Mr. Burke approached me I asked the other schools if they were also going to participate in the hour of code and the answer I got was yes that they were all participating.  As I read about the hour of code and as I talked more with Aaron so many of the jobs in the future and he actually gave me a statistic but I don’t remember it.  So many of the jobs in the future will require students to use computers, technology and for some students to use coding or programming in the future.  The idea of teaching coding to students is not just that it’s about a future job maybe but it’s also about the thinking skill of figuring things out and making the computer do thing that you want it to do.  So this hour of coding event was a worldwide event where in schools a specific lesson, an hour lesson, about how to code a computer was given to students.  Our students in all of our schools, this was the week to participate.  On the website it said well if you can’t do last week then do this week, or do the week prior.  Fit it in your schedule because you are not going to learn coding but it’s fun and the kids enjoy it and it’s such a great thinking skill that it’s really developing our students as thinkers more so then developing our students as programmers.  So I thank Mr. Burke for bringing the hour of code to us.
 
1:31:51 Mr. Burke:  May I just add something to that.  I definitely wouldn’t say I spearheaded anything.  The other Library/Media folks in the other schools are just as excited as I am, but it is an issue that not everybody has the same amount of exposure to it.  A couple of schools have less opportunity so they’re not quite where I am or Laurie is necessarily so I do hope that it’s an issue that is looked at in the next budget or whatever the process has to be because I’d be happy to talk to anybody about what an exciting time it is and the coding and all that because I think it’s really important.  Not just to train an army of coders, but to train kids how to think like on their math test if you can find the bug in your problem and debug it it’s the same idea. So, I think it’s a really exciting time, but I definitely support and hope that the idea that there is not equity right now and that Renee has two schools to cover is a big issue, and I hope that it is looked at.
 
1:33:05 Melissa Thompson:  Mr. Burke I thank you for presenting it in just that way that is as we get in to budget season that certainly is something we need to look at and to ensure that it is equal among children.  But until we hit that budget season that isn’t something we can make corrections to. 
1:33:33 Speaker 8: The technology report that was given before.  I taught in the schools and my second career was in technology so I have a great love of it.  One of the things that I am really hoping is that part of, (there was no real explanation) is how this committee is [formed], who’s on it, or how we expand it.  I hope there is some allowance in it for all teachers to brainstorm on what technology might mean to what they do in their classrooms.  I take that from when I was teaching in an inner city school in Detroit and some teacher, before any of us had computers, but the were around, and she somehow got a computer and hooked up this project that she had read about where kids in different parts of the united states had to adopt a country and had to communicate via this amazing computer and talk to kids in other places.  I think if the teachers don’t get to sit around and brainstorm and think about what they want and this is a top down approach then you are going to miss maybe all kinds of super ideas that might come.  And it’s just a hope that everybody gets included.  Secondly, I’m hoping, that somebody will find the time to look more carefully at grants that may be out there.  It’s great that we got this one grant but I just realize when I started looking for example that Verizon had done some grants I think not in NYS but in other places where they gave whole districts mobile devices like iPads and not only that but also gave them cellular data so kids automatically were able to connect to the internet.  My guess is there’s more stuff out there and I’m hoping that we could be a little bit more aggressive and look for some of that.  Because we’re poor and we could probably get it.
no comment
1:35:47 Speaker 9: I’d like to briefly address Speaker 5 about the refusal committee that was formed.  I’m on that committee.  It is our attention that regardless of what the state hands down in January we’ll totally, and there are steps in the right direction, that there will still be a clear process for parents that choose to refuse the test. I would really like to thank the principals that have been working with us.  I feel like it’s been a team effort.  We have letters that we have formed and the elementary school has different needs than the middle school and the letter is tweaked for those two different demographics.  Parents will have access to those letters via the PTO I believe is what we decided.  It will be a letter that parents can do their own letters if they’d like, but this is a clear way for parents to send something in ahead of time stating what their intentions are.  I have been told that they will not then receive a letter saying you can’t do this your child has to do this it will be the parent’s decision.  The children will not have to speak for themselves on the day of the test. I am available for any questions as are other members of the committee.  I am also just noticing on tonight’s agenda, perhaps you will get to this further on, but in case you don’t, I am curious about the two approved consultants, Priscilla Kelly and Adriana Beckwith.  I’m hoping that is something that will be addressed.
1:37:45.2 Dr. Walkley:  The two consultants are actually for the New Covenent.  We received Title 1 monies from the state and now public schools, the state determines a small amount of money that they take from our allotment that is available if non-public schools choose to apply with us and use that money.  New Covenent is one of the schools that does apply for the money.  However, the rules of Title 1, I’m looking over at Anne Marie to help out here, I believe that first they have to choose consultants and activities that fit in under the title 1 guidelines and in addition to that that money, just like Tim was talking about earlier, we don’t have to write them a check, they run that money through us.  They earn that money through us and through the activities that they do.  So that is two consultants for their school.  They are going to be providing an after school reading program for their students. 
 
We talked about that we thought would be very helpful to parents was a presentation to find out more about testing.  Whether we like or don’t like the test we talked about having an opportunity for parents to come and learn more about the test. Learn more about the process etc.  That was something that was suggested.  It wasn’t set in stone but it may be something we’re talking more about. 

1:39:44 Speaker 10: I actually was very excited about the smart bond presentation and the idea of putting together a plan that would incorporate how the district would spend that money along with their existing budget in the best and most efficient way possible.  That is why the response about the disparity in resources available to different elementary schools struck me as a concern.  I want to hear that there is some plan in place to actually make it possible for the planning of how to spend that money, incorporating an assumption that the elementary schools are going to have resources similar to every other elementary school.  I don’t particularly want to have Forrestal be left behind because they don’t have resources in place that would actually make it possible for them to use that money as effectively as other elementary schools that do have a full time instructor or the level of units in that week that students can attend.  I’m hoping that there is something besides just a budget item but also some strategy that the district is putting together to actually try to bring up the resources to improve the capability of what’s already there, to deliver more to Forrestal schools and to be as involved as all the other schools in planning how to use the money that we’re going to see in the most effective way possible so that as an elementary school at Forrestal we can participate just as well as all the others.  I appreciate any information that you have about whether that’s in place.
1:41:59 Dr. Walkley: Last year when I started here you may know a budget is passed in April so a budget was in place when I began and at that time people started talking about the Music programs, the Art programs, and making sure that the resources are the same that can’t happen in one year. You are right it is a long term plan and with the tax cap and I know Anne Marie will be talking more about what’s happening with the tax cap this year as we get into the budget process that long range planning that you are talking about becomes more and more difficult but yes we do decide I mean that would be ideal that we had the same resources in every school and that is certainly something we want to work toward.  We become a little bit at the mercy of this tax cap and we will explain more about that.  If it wasn’t there it would be a much easier task to accomplish.  So it’s not that you are right on the money and that’s exactly what we’ve been talking about as a long-term plan to level out resources. 
1:43:28 Speaker 11: Thanks Ms. Conrad for presentation on South Ave.  You are looking for items in the budget that might offset that maybe not having the TOSA’s and having instructors would actually offset whatever the cost is to even out the disparities on the schools.  I don’t know I think this is a really important issue.  It is a perception of having one school having one advantage over the other doesn’t necessarily promote harmony within the district.  Looking at what’s in your budget now and trimming some of those things could possibly even it out.
-1:44:31 Dr. Walkley:  Thanks for bringing that up.  I don’t know if you’ve been here so if I am repeating myself to you I apologize.  The TOSA’s are budgeted through Title 1 monies, which are grant monies, and there are very specific guidelines about how grant monies can be used or cannot be used.  So even though we might want to have let’s say another music teacher in the grant money that is used to pay salaries for instructional support teachers we could not do that.  So that cost is not coming from the general fund but from Title 1 funds.  
1:45:16 Speaker 12: Just to follow up on what I’ve heard.  It’s my understanding that this district can make mid-year adjustments instead of choosing to punt for the next budget cycle you could make an adjustments that are within the restrictions just to put a buzz in your ear.  But that wasn’t what I came up here.  Just wanted to wish happy holidays to the board, the administration, the parents, students, and community.  I also wanted to come up and say that I come to these meetings and ask questions because this an official record and my right as well as it is consistent with transparency of governmental law.  I am not trying to get personal in this venue.  I mentioned at the last board meeting that unequal use of in school suspension versus out of school suspensions based on race rather then severity sounds like discrimination.  This past Friday I received a report of a child that was taken by her hair and slammed against the wall by two girls known for bullying.  In this case the parent wasn’t immediately called when the event happened and the parent had to live with the frustration over the weekend and wait till school was back in session to find out more information.  I don’t believe this problem is school specific.  It may vary from school to school.  I know this bullying policy, and it’s no surprise that it includes prevention; it also includes the requirement that the board will receive an annual vetted report as well as other state requirements relevant to bullying for each building and for the district as a whole.  Based on the review of the data the board may consider further action including but not limited to the modification of this policy and additional training. It is also my understanding that Ms. Baez has instructional exercises to help improve school climate.  I would like the school district to encourage her to start a mentoring the program where parent volunteers can also help.  My name is ___ I’m trained in conflict resolution through my time in AmeriCorps which I think could be helpful.  I’m already in the NY Teach system and I would like to volunteer for something like this.  I also would like to commend the South Avenue Student Council and the Principal that was a wonderful video and I would love to hear more duration of the same throughout the district.  My question is can we work on improving the school climate for the students.
1:48:07.0 Dr. Walkley: Thank you for mentioning the good training that Ms. Baez has.  She actually has started to training in the district with social and emotional and there was a section for some of our, I think all of our teacher aides, I believe assistants (don’t quote me on that), and she also did a section from our administrative team.  So she has started to do some training in the district and I agree that it’s very important training.   I would also remind parents that if there is a concern about bullying in the school.  That they need to contact first and foremost the school principal and talk with them about what is happening.  If they aren’t satisfied with that then there is a hierarchy of people that they can speak with.  So I encourage them to address their principal or administrator and then go from there.
-1:49:25 Speaker 13:  I wanted to make sure that the Board of Education was aware that the US Dept. of Education office of Civil Rights is actively investigating the violations of Title 9 that Dr. Walkley has allowed to occur in the school.  The lead investigator told me that they have requested and have received information about the investigation from the school.  So I want to make sure that you are aware that this investigation is going on because sometimes you may not know everything that’s going on.  As far as the facts, I did submit awhile back, a whole packet to everybody which has all the detailed facts about the investigation and about the case.  Second point I have is actually a question as Mr. Zopf has stated many of the questions that come up here can be complicated and maybe should be taken outside.  We have a lot of questions tonight some were answered in detail some were not.  Why isn’t there a log of the questions that people ask written down detail.  I know some are paraphrased the log of the questions so they can be answered either verbally or in writing so that we have a record and you can say hey, we already answered that question and here is our statement.  So why is that not done?  Next question is back during the time there was voting about the TOSA positions there was extensive talk about metrics.  A lot of metrics that were going to be had, developed to track performance and the impact the TOSA’s have.  So when will these metrics be published and when will they be provided to the public so that we can see the results?
-1:51:19 Dr. Walkley:  I just want to correct some information I don’t know who you’ve been talking with but the district has sent volumes of information and has spoken on the phone with several of our staff members.  I don’t know who you are speaking with but that information is incorrect.  (audience: what information?) The information that no information was sent from the district. 
 
Melissa Thompson: No I don’t think that was the statement that he made.  He wanted to be sure that the Board of Education was aware that the investigation was going on.  (audience inaudible)
 
Kenya Gadsden: No but I did hear him say that the lead investigator has not received and then he said something else but I don’t know what that was.  So something about the lead investigator not receiving something.  I don’t know what that was. 
 
Melissa Thompson: I didn’t hear that.  Could you clarify the statement regarding the lead investigator?

Speaker 13: I apologize if it was not clear.  So, when I talked to the lead investigator she said that the office of Civil Rights has requested information from the District and the District has responded.  So that there is an active exchange going on between the two so I wanted to make sure that it was important that it is an active and ongoing investigation. He wanted to make sure that you were all aware that that is in progress. 

-1:53:20 Dr. Walkley:  (TOSA’s) So we just had this conversation on the email so that’s very interesting that you must be thinking the same as at least one of our board members.  So, what we talked about is that there are a lot of new programs this year in the district and it might be in it would be helpful certainly to have metrics on all the new programs.  So, we will set up a schedule of presentations to share that information.


-1:54:02 Speaker 14: I have two questions, one, I really loved the film that the Student Council put together and I wanted to just mention this while it’s fresh in everybody’s mind that you got a really good look at our playground at South Avenue.  Playground with one piece of equipment provided by the district and one tiny piece of equipment that you may have seen flash by that was paid for by the PTA.  I have been at South Avenue for six years now and been a member of the PTA for six years and every year we devote most of the fundraising to trying to get something more for that playground.  If you are wondering, well we only saw a little corner of it, no you saw all of it.  That’s it.  There is a dusty field and two pieces of equipment.  So when you guys are reviewing the inequalities between all the different elementary schools I hope that gets discussed because South Avenue really gets the short end of the stick when it comes to outdoor play equipment.  The PTA this year is devoting I would say a huge amount if not all of it’s funding to try and get more playground equipment.  Which is awesome. I’m very supportive of that.  But I do think that the district needs to look at it and evaluate it a little bit more money in the budget toward something to make it equal with the other schools.  My second question, I hope I’m not to long, if you could explain how with the new Tech Bond it’s reimbursement bond, if you could just explain it to me so that I understand I a little bit better.  Let’s say we have a million dollars in the budget and we spend that much and we are reimbursed how does that free up the budget for the next year since there is money given back into that budget and not affect the tax cap.  How can we use that to our advantage? I am confused about that.  
-1:56:13 Anne Marie Quartironi: I don’t know all the particulars Mr. Facchin was pretty clear about it not being there, but as far as revenue is concerned revenue and expenditures are classified differently so the tax cap is based on expenditures.  So if we were to receive the reimbursement that would be included as revenue and wouldn’t help us with the tax cap.  That’s a general thing, I am hoping that’s not the case but that’s usually we can’t use it as a reduction as the expense we have to go forward and classify it as revenue and set the expenditures. That’s why we are not really sure how it’s going to go, and why Mr. Facchin was pretty clear about kind of moving forward.  We will benefit from getting the money but it’s just a matter of the calculations we’ll see moving forward.
-1:57:08 Speaker 15: Coordinator of the Lifted Program wanted to say a few words tonight.  She is very excited to share that we have had a beautiful jumpstart at South Avenue School, which is our first pilot program with the help of the Principal, and staff and our Lifted Team.  Our first seminar was navigating your way through South Avenue School. Our second one, which was just this past week, and it was reading readiness with our ELA teacher of South Avenue.  We are looking for parents to come out and learn from our new Parent Academy.  Our next workshops are concerning with health and Special Ed and CSE 101. And parenting tips for the new parents that are entering their new school district.  Also robocalls have been sent out and we have had very low parent engagement.  So we as the Lifted Team Program are here to help parents cope with their fears and their hopes so that their children will work better with each other and with us and the community at elementary level and also I’m very excited to be a part of the board helping you guys connecting the bridge with other parents and I hope to be seeing you for our next seminar in January. 
-1:59:06 Melissa Thompson: We thank you the Lifted Program for partnering at South Avenue School.  I read great things regarding your initial interactions.  Hopefully South Avenue is a great building and we have many great kids throughout our district and I think programs such as the Lifted Program can be beneficial to all of our kids and I look forward to the day when we can share it with everyone.  
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11/09/2015 BOE Meeting

11/9/2015

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Public Comments and Response Notes:

Below are notes taken from the Public Comment portion of the BOE meeting.  They are not verbatim.  The time of each comment is provided for further review. 
-49:34 Speaker 1 Physical Education Teacher at Sargent spoke of her experience in the past with the BTA and how she felt it improved under the leadership of Ms. Pilla.  As the changes with Common Core and during our constant turnover of superintendents Ms. Pilla was there collecting information and distributing among members.  She has not heard a public statement of gratitude to Ms. Pilla and she would like to thank Ms. Pilla for her service tonight. 
-1:32:18  Dr. Walkley: thanks speaker for her comments

-53:22 Speaker 2 talks about the petition that asks the Board to look into why the teachers were dissatisfied.  The petition was made in response to the Union President's letter at the prior board meeting.  Some signatures include the Mayor and several City Council Members and many others.  She provides the Board of Education with the petition and urges them to look into the underlying cause for the current discontent.  There are ethical concerns and we look to the BOE to provide leadership in this area. 
-1:32:24  Dr. Walkley: acknowledges comment

-56:45 Speaker 3 reads comments from the petition and states that we need a culture shift and everyone is coming together to say that.  Until we find a positive relationship between the teachers and the admin we are never going to be able to excel as a district.
-1:32:33 Dr. Walkley: acknowledges comment

-58:08 Speaker 4 shares some observations she had at one of the first meetings she attended.  Dr. Walkley gave a sobering report on our high school and it's focus status and the areas where we need to show improvement.  She states that Dr. Walkley spoke extensively about Rigor (she later learned that there is an educational definition of Rigor) involves creative thinking, complex problem solving, etc.  At the same meeting she heard parents make comments of outrage involving teacher transfers asking for explanations.  In subsequent meetings she has developed concern for low APPR rates and how that seems to have been mishandled, dismay over programming for the arts especially in relation to BAEF, lost or underutilized BOCES contracts, money being misspent or not spent when it could be going to increasing these programs, missing or late book orders, approval of expensive consultants, disparates between the elementary schools in art and music staff.  Serious issues are being brought up at meetings sometimes they aren't even acknowledged in responses.  With own research she has learned about status with the state.  Learned about what other cities have done to get out of focus status.  New Paltz BOE rejecting criteria, Haldane has given detailed explanation on their TOSAs, examples on how healthy districts operate and integral to this is leadership with vision and culture of outreach.  Beacon has terrible reputation.  Known as "the little District that could and then didn't"  This is disheartening news.  How are you on the Beacon City School Board going to apply the necessary "Rigor" to once and for all address the inherent dysfunction and lack of vision in our administration that is clearly keeping us from living up to our full potential. 
-1:32:40 Dr. Walkley: acknowledges comment but doesn't see a question.

Ms. Gadsden: There was one.  How are you as the Beacon City School District going to address the obstacles preventing us from being a district that is not a focus district?

Dr. Walkley So what makes us a focus district. Some of that data and information has been shared and Mr. Soltish shared some information this evening about other information he had that makes us a focus district.  What makes us a focus district is that we either do not show enough adequate progress according to the state set by targets.  In the past if we don’t test 95% of our students and or a district does not meet graduation rates.  We also need to make improvements and not have a wide gap of achievement between different groups of students.  So when you don’t have some of those things, all of those things, one of those things working for you become a focus district.  It’s based on state formula whether we agree with it or not.   What are we doing to address it? You’ve heard LAP plans you’ve heard about the high school plan and that we are doing a three year plan working with the State right now and the DCIP plan is posted and reviewed by the State.   So those are things that we are doing and all of the programming that you’ve heard about those are things that we are doing to change our status from a focus district to a district in good standing. 



1:03:47 Speaker 5 reads comments from the petition
-1:35:15 Dr. Walkley acknowledges comment

1:05:55 Speaker 6 at last meeting we learned about Glenham's STEM program that their librarian is implementing.  While all is this is happening at Glenham, JVF and Sargent are sharing both a librarian and an art teacher.  How is this fair?  Why are Forrestal and Sargent (2nd largest elementary school) having to share teachers?  Why is the curriculum not the same throughout the entire district?  What is the district going to do to ensure that all elementary schools are afforded the same opportunities regardless of which school they go to?  Also, what has been your experience with Bond Elections and please describe your specific responsibilities and results. 
-1:35:31 Dr. Walkley states that the speaker asked about the difference in curriculum between schools. That’s the goal of any district, to articulate your curriculum, align your curriculum across the district.  In this district that process has not taken place in the past. It has in some areas but not all areas.  So there are areas still that there is an articulation need and an alignment need for curriculum.
(audience calls out)
Ms. Thompson: her concern about the teachers sharing between Forrestal and Sargent.
Dr. Walkley: Somebody made the statement that at the elementary level there are shared teachers for several different subject matters.  The amount of time that a teacher spends in a building is based upon the number of classes that are in that building and I have spoken to the Principals of the shared buildings and in this district there is a long history of this music and art situation where in some schools there is more music and in other schools there is more art. What is the District's plan to take care of that?  In the past, for example for music, there has been one teacher that was dedicated to instruments at the elementary level and then another person that was dedicated to the choral part of music and that is the intent of the district to have a model like that. The other question is around art and making sure there is enough FTE enough art so  that each of the schools look the same.   

​What is the experience with bond elections.  She asks Ms. Quartironi who is not sure what that question meant.   Ms. Quartironi: Is that a capital project bond?  The capital projects that we have put through in the last 10 years have been successful so we are continuing and finalizing our last capital project and we are hoping to come forward in the near future with another proposal.

-1:07::37  Speaker 7 BTA President is tremendously humbled by the support shown by the parent's group and on behalf of all the teachers that work in Beacon he wants to say thank you.  He can no longer hear the Superintendent state how well she is working with the BTA when nothing can be further from the truth.  There are still textbooks that heaven't been provided,  The Superintendent has violated contract by not supplying mentors required by NY State in a timely fashion for our new teachers.  He believes that they were intentionally put on the back burner to cement the TOSA positions.  TOSAs are supposed to be voluntarily used by the teachers, but the Superintendent has threatened that if classrooms aren't opened to the TOSAs she will pull teachers from class for mandatory training.  At a cost of $500,000 a year, the Superintendent has oversubscribed the number of TOSAs.  Superintendent has failed to pay six school psychologists for 100's of hours of work they did last year on the committee for Special Ed.  Work the Superintendent agreed to pay for.  They school psychologists performed the work, submitted claims which were signed off by a supervisor, and they are not paid.  Central Admin. will not respond to emails.  Superintendent has failed to address critical shortage of substitutes.  Substitutes leave district to go to higher paying districts.  The Superintendent has said that the reason we don't have enough subs is because the teachers take too many sick days.  When I asked which teachers there was no answers.  Superintendent asked BTA to sign MOA to move a morning PE to the afternoon.  I said send it to me and I'll sign it.  For two weeks I sent emails and received the response we are waiting on the lawyers.  I received the MOA and the Superintendent expected me to sign and return it in one day.  This passive aggressive way of doing business is the same way she dealt with us on proposed APPR.  Does Superintendent not understand that the teachers want a well vetted APPR especially in light of fact that once again the government has put forth a document heavily weighted against teachers?  And is our hesitancy to sign proposed APPR a mystery to the Superintendent when it was she and the ex-BTA president that were the architects of the last APPR which resulted in approximately 70% of our teachers being rated ineffective?  The list of transgressions is an exhaustive list.  BTA is at a crucial junction in our relationship with the Superintendent.  The BTA leadership asked to meet twice a month to try and work collaboratively and to improve the district.  Superintendent said let's stay with once a month.  I offered my cell # and said call anytime, the Superintendent replied you have my office #.  We are at an impasse.  The District is not performing well according to NY State.  It will be a disaster for the district to go into receivership.  (Interruption) You need us Mrs. Thompson and we want to work together.
-1:12:27 Ms. Thompson: comments on respect while at the podium.  You pinpointed a person and we asked that that not happen any longer.  She does not believe grandstanding deserves applause.  She also wants the best teachers and again points out the lack of respect.  To applause that is poor taste.

-1:39:11 Dr. Walkley: she’s not going to get in a fighting match with Mr. Burns.   All of your information has a twist to it, and I have emails where I have given you information you and Ms. Keough, things that you’ve thought were helpful.  What I really said was let’s see if we have agenda items for twice a month or once a month.  There’s information that I have been waiting on from you for six weeks and I still don’t have it and I could also go on, but I don’t think that is productive. I think what’s productive is working collaboratively and I think that that’s what needs to happen and so I invite you and Ms. Keough to continue to work with me and Mrs. Kellogg and anyone else in a collaborative manner.  Certainly we can take a look at some of the things you brought up and take a look at the facts and information around those statements. 



-1:13:52 Speaker 8 asks about Technology grant and the workshop that is supposed to happen.  Do you have a date for the workshop?  And with the approval for the waiver how does that change the APPR for this year and if that changes the role of the IST (Instsructional Support Teacher) in charge of educating on the 3012D
-1:41:11 Ms. Quartironi shares information on technology grant.  She has been told that there's no final information so a Board workshop wouldn't be useful because they don't have enough information on how to move forward.  The State is trying to complete the way we do the process.  We did have to complete a survey and submit it to the State which has been accepted for 1st Phase of project.  So the only way to continue is through committees to finalize technology plans and how we want to move forward.
Dr. Walkley: The other thing about the technology grant is how the state has given or not given information.  Can you say a little bit about that?
Ms. Quartironi: We have gotten very little information on how to spend the money.  I did mention last time that a lot of information that has come forward we have already in this district.  So a lot of it  has to do with the backend of the technology.  So we are waiting for more clarification on how we can move forward and how we can utilize the money that's allocated.  The two million allocated to Beacon is available and once we get the guidance part we will finalize it and bring it in front of Board.  

-1:14:46 Speaker 9  Observes the Board is unable to act and follow through on certain things that they'd like to accomplish.  Some of that is not understanding Robert's Rules of Order to move things forward in a meeting.  She would love to see a meet and greet.  It can happen in a 10 minute recess.  Someone on board could motion for this to happen.   Also, Ms. Galbo shared that she would like to reach out to teachers.  She read the BTA contract and found a contractual agreement and stated she would like to invite BTA to come and meet with the board. She sees it noted in the minutes and I would like to know If that has made it onto the agenda? According to Roberts Rules of Order the President has discretion when moderating a meeting.  Policy is put in place to provide for general framework, but the moderator may use discretion.  She finds it highly disturbing the president of the teachers union, who was voted in by teachers, is not afforded a few more moments to speak.
-1:43:39 Dr. Walkley acknowledges comments  but didn't see a question
(audience comments that there was one) Ms. Thompson is going to answer those questions.

-1:53:42  Ms. Thompson there have been policy meetings on public comment repeatedly and the #1 thought of the Board was respect.  It has been brought to her attention that she is not tough enough.  That she doesn't demand respect, that I let people speak to long, about to many topics and that I need to do a better job.  This is her attempt to meet the needs of the Board.  
Regarding Ms. Galbo's comment at the last meeting about the teacher's contract that they can meet once per year (Mr. White: per semester).  Twice per year.  They have the opportunity to request at anytime to meet with the board of education to discuss whatever needs they might have or concerns they wish to address.  The BOE has never denied a request.  The BOE is not planning to invite that type of a meeting because that is part of their contract and they are entitled to it.  AT this time the Board will not be taking an action on that point.  
Regarding the petition.  She echoes many of the comments and she speaks more on value of teachers.
She talks more on stopping the BTA president from continuing and agrees that we're all here for checks and balances.

​-1:17:29 Speaker 10 at the last meeting you addressed the concerns she had about the consultants hired whether or not there was staff buy-in.  You redirected my comment to Ms Kellogg wh responded that she had received emails about how helpful one consultant, Steph Harvey had been.  Speaker did not mean to imply that consultants can not ever be helpful, but she is wondering if given some of the basic needs of the district, like textbooks that are missing ten weeks into the school year and the book orders have been placed, signed for and delivered to central office last school year.   IEP’s are still out of compliance. A big concern is that there aren't enough, if any, substitute teachers in the district because this district still does not pay a competitive rate. Teaching assistants are being pulled out of their classrooms to sub leaving their teachers alone.  Full-time teachers for art and library are not in place at all of the schools. Are these basic needs perhaps more deserving of the money spent on consultants than a few days of reading and writing workshops Which often pulled teachers out of the classroom and may not be very helpful teachers that have been teaching for years and already masters of their craft.  Steph Harvey consulting for 31 days of reading workshops totaling $660 an hr. for total of $123,000.  Doug Ricketts at $800 a day for 25 days is $20,000 and I understand that you are using grant money to pay for these consultants.  Can you please explain if this grant money must be specifically used for Professional development or if this almost $150,000 could be potentially be used to meet some of basic needs in this district that I just mentioned. And if the money must be used for staff development are there alternative means that are perhaps less costly?  Or alternative programs, like the calico ball for example, (it only cost of this district a measly $6000 in comparison). Who does the grant writing for the district? How much grant money has been received this year for specific programs like bullying prevention, and how has that money been spent? Do you know which bullying programs are in place at each of the schools?  How much did Beacon receive in Race to the Top Funds? We are classified as a high needs District therefore we received extra funds from the Excel program. How much did we receive last year, and how are the funds allocated? Ms. Thompson can you please define what you feel the role of the BTA president is, or what it should be, if it is not to provide checks and balances on the district administration?
-1:43:59 Dr. Walkley: on ordering textbooks looks to Ms. Quartironi.
Ms. Quartironi: The AP books were ordered and tomorrow someone will check the status but they were ordered the day after the board meeting.  The Social Studies books at the Middleschool are in the process of trying to find the most recent edition.  The proposal was put togehter and brought forward at the end of last school year so it was a time between one budget year and another.  So, they are delayed a little bit but we are in the process of ordering those as well.  Those are the only ones that I am aware of that are outstanding.  
Ms. Thompson: I thought the statement was made that the books were delivered and signed for but they don't have them?
Ms. Quartironi: I don't know what that comment means.  I can look into it but if we sign off on books at Central we would deliver them.  I am not clear as to why that comment was made. 

Dr. Walkley regarding substitutes.  States that she has been in contact with other districts in Dutchess County.  In particular she talked to the one District that pays the most and they also have shortage of subs and teachers.  They are warehousing students in the auditorium for study halls.  After discussing a possible thought from the group is that four years ago the APPR came into play as well as tests that teachers need to take now to get a teacher liscense.  Those tests are particularly rigorous and they are difficult to pass.  Therefore for years ago, people who thought they were going into education did not continue.  The assesments are quite costly and people can not continue to retake the tests.  This may indicate why there is a shortage of substitutes and teachers in this area.  We are bringing a proposal to the Board to change the pay for substitutes but even the district that pays over $100 a day has a shortage and it's a big problem.  
Regarding question on grant monies.  Grant monies always have guidelines about what grant money can be spent for.  So for example if you wanted to have a behavior program with one of the grant monies the one prgram that the State supports is PBIS.  So there are guidelines about how that money can be spent the.  The money in the grants that we are using for professional development can not be spent for the Calico Ball, or certain teachers.  It must be used in certain ways.  There are certain guidelines and there are quite a few.
Regarding Race to the Top funds
Ms. Quartironi Does not have money in front of her but can bring to next meeting
Regarding Excel: being a high needs district we did receive Excel money several years ago and used it directly for capital projects.  We do have some money available to us that if we were to go out for another capital project we could use the rest of it but it's only a couple of 100 thousand dollars left.  We were able to utilize most to keep the tax levy less. 


-1:21:56 Speaker 11 former educator hearing the same things at meetings about teacher transfers, TOSAs, and a lack of respect shown to teachers he cannot in good conscious sit by without commenting.  We haven’t had the consistency to keep the district stable until now.  He has talked about the need for leadership and that a permanent superintendent was needed. Believes that Dr. Walkley is the one to bring it all together even with the kicking and screaming that is going on.  Most superintendents would not have even met with the teachers being moved. Principals should stand up and admit that they were involved with teacher transfers.   The special education teachers in this district have been moved on a yearly basis but there has been no outcry on this either.  TOSAs are also important to the continued professional development of teachers. To question the qualifications of one individual is horrendous.  A parent has asked ‘how can a PE teacher help an English teacher when it’s not their area?”  An experienced educator knows good teaching when it is taking place and there are administrators and teachers on this board, and they know I speak the truth. He continues by talking about respect. A parent was allowed to turn and talk to the audience where others were told that they could not do that.  The rule must apply to all equally.
-1:50:15 Dr Walkley acknowledges comment

1:26:22 Speaker 12 ​She asks Dr. Walkley about the DCIP (District Comprehensive Improvement Plan) which is featured on the homepage of the Beacon City School District website. That is the plan we are currently following. It was submitted to the state on July 31, 2015. She just wants to confirm that.   She has seen something on Facebook that there isn’t anyone to help the Seniors do the yearbook.  Can we get someone to do that? She has a question to the board members who are voting tonight about the various consultant agreements, Engineering by Design, Carlie’s Crusade.  She wants to make sure that everybody is reading those agreements and that everyone knows how much money is going to each one of those things before they sign them.  
-1:50:29 Dr. Walkley: question about DCIP and is it on the home page.  I believe it is.
(audience: asked if it was submitted to the state on July 31st and if accepted is it being implemented?)
Dr. Walkley: it was sumbitted to the state.  The state has given us some feedback on that particular DCIP that Ms. Kellogg is now taking a look at and that will be addressed.  (audience: and shared with public as well)  We don't have it in front of us today but we can certainly share information at another meeting.
Mrs. Kellogg:  I don't have that feedback in front of me.  It is something she'd like to share and bring back to a committee to look at it.  They just received the feedback.  These are living documents.  They have been shared with those implenting the plans and the schools and they will have opportunity for further feedback.  With regard to the high school SCEP plan we are participating in the DTSDE Diagnostic tool for school district effectiveness, PLC (Professional Learning Committee) at the state level and as part of that association develping 3yr. plan which makes more sense to them so that they can build on work they are already doing. More information will be shared with the community

,1:28:53 Speaker 13 feels that the idea of respect doesn’t always come forward in sort of a neat and tidy box when you are dealing with hard issues about which people are passionate. Her parents also taught her about respect but she was taught about engagement, expecting more, being pushed to reach your full potential, to talk about problems, care loudly at each other.   What the BTA president was bringing forward was valuable feedback maybe it didn’t sound the way we wanted it to sound or maybe it was a little louder and harsher but it’s still important and it’s still an extremely important part of our education community.  Whatever opinions you might have about the person the message is still there and you have to dispassionately absorb that.  There is an irregularity about the first speaker went on at length mentioning names and paid tribute, and that was ok, but in his bringing up a name that was considered inappropriate and I just want to say nobody runs for a leadership position because they are seeking anonymity.  You know your name is going to be put out there.  People like and dislike your decisions.  In the end we all want the same thing and we can’t keep discussing how we talk to each other anymore because it is exhausting.  We can figure it out and we should try. 
-1:53:26 Dr. Walkley acknowledges comment and that we can figure it out.
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10/26/15 Board Meeting

10/26/2015

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Public Comment and Response Highlights:

-33:49 Speaker 1 reads her letter to the Board regarding the petition she has begun in support of the BTA President Mr. Burn's letter at the previous board meeting.   (link to  petition and letter can be found here   )  
1:13:52 Dr. Walkley I did address some of the things that Mr. Burns said.
-37:58 Speaker 2 supports the previous letter.  Whatever the intention of teacher transfers was there is a real problem with teacher morale.  This was evident by the letter by Mr. Burns at last meeting.  The way the transfers were handled has had a negative impact.  Failed opportunity for leadership. Top down management style.  What is the plan to heal the district?  What concrete steps is the administration going to take to improve morale, listen to, and better support our teachers moving forward?  Time to reassess how our district functions.
1:14:18 Dr. Walkley within a day or two of teachers being transferred she met with members of BTA and came up with an MOU to change the process.  The process has been changed it is documented in a MOU (Memorandum of Understanding)
1:31:16 Dr. Walkley Someone asked about how teachers are feeling.  I take that very seriously and am meeting with union leadership.  We have had a couple of meetings.  There's a meeting coming up and my intent is to work well with them and I believe that we are working well.  Beyond that, it is not my nature to disrespect people nor is it my nature to want people to feel badly and in terms of teacher transfers.  Teacher transfers are something that happen in every district that doesn't make it right and it doesn't mean that was the right process but it is something that does happen.  Our special Ed. teachers are familiar with transfers because they are transferred where the students are. And so every yr. we do often see special education being transferred.  The transfers I have done are not disciplinary.  I heard that being said and last time we met a letter was read that suggested that the teachers were not up to par.  That's nothing that I have ever said or ever treated anybody in that way.  I have talked about a strength based model and I have talked about the need to place teachers where they could expand upon the service they give to the district.  When you sign up as a teacher in a district you sign up to serve students and sometimes people need to serve students in different places.   Yes it is sad for students but there are other students that need assistance or connections as well and we've been talking about teacher transfers and the most truthful thing that was said is that they can't be reversed right now.  There is a MOU that the process will not be the same in the future and there's nothing preventing teachers for transfers in the future if they so desire and if there are openings.  Has met with some teachers and invited teachers to meet with her and her door is still open.  My door is always open both to parents and teachers and actually any employee.  So I am open to meeting with people and further discussing their feelings and I will continue to meet with BTA.  
-40:46 Speaker 3 states that there is disfunction and a lack of vision.  Concerned about teacher's working environment.  Would like to see transparency.  What is the district's plan going forward?
1:14:52 Dr. Walkley is there any plan?  Yes, there are plans, some specifically for the schools, and there is a district plan as well.  She will talk about how plans are changing in her report.
-44:15 Speaker 4 is proud of Board Members for speaking on the disrespect being felt at meetings.  Speaker is supportive of the Board and the Superintendent
1:15:27 Dr. Walkley thanks Speaker
-46:06 Speaker 5 states that the Middle School is looking for costumes for their "Hairspray" musical.  Asks for saddle shoes, poodle skirts, etc. 
1:15:35 Dr. Walkley acknowledges comment
-47:03 Speaker 6 speaks on the demands of the state and their adverse effects on public education.  this district's position on APPR, opt-outs, consultants with no staff buy-in, teacher transfers, textbooks missing with the ball being dropped at admin. level.  Asks Board of Ed. to take stand with us
1:15:52 Dr. Walkley She has not seen that teachers don't care for consultants she did not see teachers disengaged. Ms. Kellogg also speaks on the consultants.  Ms. Quartironi speaks on textbooks and that they have been ordered.
-51:31 Speaker 7 is the co-chair of the BTA public relations committee.  Thank you to Board on Board Appreciation night and handed out gift
1:20:18 Dr. Walkley acknowledges gifts that were brought for the board
-52:34 Speaker 8 asks why the former president of the BTA was able to have an internship at the district office.  Where was the Board oversight.  Questions these arrangements and the transfers.  Why is the Board not addressing these situations.
1:20:25 Ms. Thompson Board is not aware of internships throughout district.  She agrees that she wishes it was different but internships are not approved or notified to Board.  Will it be done differently the next time "who's to say" but not part of operations of Board
-56:42 Speaker 9 would like the BOE to look objectively at the Superintendent.  Why are there classrooms that do not have what they need?  Why are there children whose IEP's aren't being met?  Why is grant money going unaccounted for?  Why are teachers feeling disrespected.  Why can't we look to Highland Falls?
1:22:00 Dr. Walkley invites Speaker 9 for a meeting
-1:00:44 Speaker 10 questions the proposed comment policy.  The President and Superintendent can reply during public comment.  Does this count toward the total 60 minutes allotted?
1:23:00 Ms. Thompson she understands that there might be frustration hearing that answers will count toward the hour of comments, but using tonight as an example they would be on track to do it tonight. It sounded short but we can anticipate doing it going forward.  Everyone will be heard.  
-1:01:52 Speaker 11 We need to respect our teachers.  Why do they not have their textbooks on day 1?  When will they be delivered?  Who is responsible?  Questions the board's last superintendent search.
1:23:13 Dr. Walkley textbooks are ordered and on their way but she will ask if there are other textbooks missing
-1:05:30 Speaker 12 at forum she spoke about 3yr. plan as part of the learning community.  She has asked specific questions about our current plan that she has not received adequate responses on.  Can we have a student Board Member?  What is the status on this.  Why is it taking so long to get this on the agenda?
1:24:44  Dr, Walkley Beacon is participating by State invitation to Professional Learning Community.  Purpose is bringing together 22 school districts who are focus or priority and allowing us to work together create not a 1yr. plan but a 3yr. plan in relationship to the school plan.  Last week Dr. Sieverding, Myself, Ms. Kellogg, and a teacher went to Albany for 2 days.  2 days at state drafting a 1, 2, and 3 yr. plan.  Does it link into current plan.  It does.  We have not been to state yet but it does link into current plan and does extend out three yrs.  What she suggested was that it may go a little more than 3 yrs. because our time together with the state goes into the beginning of next yr.  so that plan even though designed to be 3  yr. may be extended out by the time we finish the plan.  The way it is working is we spend time in Albany as a group and each time different educators are going depending on the topics they will be discussing and we begin to draft something that will come back.  Dr. Sieverding, myself, and Ms. Kellogg talked today that there will be a committee being put together that will flesh out some of the big ideas that's coming out of that planning.  Right now we are working on just yr. one and the State has assigned 3 specific areas that we are to develop for yr. one.  So, Dr. Sieverding will be reaching out both to educators and to parent reps. and they will begin the process of fleshing that out.  Our homework assignment from the state was to finish that work locally and email it to them and they will review and give us feedback.  Next time in Albany is Dec. 2nd and 3rd so that work must be completed and given to state prior to that time so they can give us feedback.

​Ms. Thompson Student Board Member needs to be voted on in May will be discussed with PR committee
-1:08:32 Speaker 13 Part of the group Beacon Speaks Out values the topic of transparency.  She'd like to offer transparency with the School Board's involvement with Beacon Speaks Out.  She appreciates board member Ms. Galbo attending weekly meetings building strong relationships between the community and the police force.  Assures that the police presence on the school grounds is part of the greater sectorial project the chief is implementing throughout the city.  She urges people that may have issues to contact her.
1:29:47 Dr. Walkley acknowledges comment
1:11:08 Speaker 14 We have been requesting data from the Board about teacher transfers.  Is the information releasable?  Will you be able to release information on who was transferred involuntarily or because of disciplinary action?  Why was there a sub hired at $65. Why are subs being hired at lower rates?
1:30:00 Dr. Walkley I think that sometimes questions are being asked that the people themselves may not want shared and one of the things that has been talked about is that teachers feel disrespected and one way to disrespect people is to share information about them that they feel that they would like to have private.  So as you said maybe it could be shared but maybe there is something more here about sharing information about people and protecting their feelings and their wishes and their desires. 1:34:53  BW we have a scale that we like to hire subs who are fully certified.  If fully certified they get $72 a day.  That particular person is not yet certified.  They will soon be certified but because they are not there is a lower rate of pay.
Minutes from the meeting beyond public comment can be found here: 
Board of Ed. Minutes
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