Inauguration Day
Newly elected Board Members Joe Peluso and John Anthony took the oath of office. The Officers of the Board of Education were then elected, resulting in a continuation of John Anthony as President and Roseanne Sullivan as Vice President. The other officers were then elected, or re-elected.

Board Members were then designated as delegates and alternates to the Orange County School Boards Association, the New York State School Boards Association and various committees.

Pre-K Program
Acting Superintendant Dr. Bill Bassett presented his reports and recommendations, beginning with good news for the Pre-K Program, which will be able to take another 30 students due to an increase in funding. The program will expand to take 102 children. The board approved this recommendation.

Crispell Middle School Annex Update
Dr. Bassett reported that after the contractor, Rohrs, applied legal pressure to Mark Line, the builder of the modular units, Mark Line had agreed to make the changes necessary for the units to conform to the original specifications, and to do this work inside their factory in Pennsylvania. Dr. Bassett announced that the district would insist their engineer, Mark Fellenzer be allowed to inspect the work. The contractor has inspected the building and reported that it is well-built in all other regards. The manufacturer will begin this work immediately, which will mean that there's an outside chance that the buildings could be delivered in September. The board approved Dr. Bassett's recommendation that this plan be accepted.

Superintendant Search Update
John Anthony reported that there had been 39 candidates originally, from which 5 semi-finalists had been chosen, and of these 2 had withdrawn, leaving 3 strong candidates. The board will meet with them, and then with representatives of the stakeholder groups — students, faculty, and parents — to discuss the final decision. The goal is to have a new Superintendant in place well before Dr. Bassett leaves, allowing that person time to "walk in Dr. Bassett's shoes" as John Anthony described it, and familiarize themselves with the District and its challenges.

The Consent Agenda
Dr. Bassett praised the start of summer school, noting that math classes were well attended, and were being held "all over the place." Also, law academy had begun the day before, and if "you want to see some kids sweating, stop by around 11:30 and you'll see them sweating," he commented. Six retirements were on the Consent Agenda. Together they represented one hundred-fifty-and-a-half years' worth of experience, which Dr. Bassett noted was a lot of experience to replace. The board approved the Consent Agenda.

Public Participation
Donna Geidel, Principal of Pakanasink Elementary School, thanked the district for finding the money to expand the Pre-K program and said that they were ready to start immediately on that expansion.

Patti Brown congratulated the District for an excellent Graduation Day, but also noted that, as it was a very hot day, a lot of the elderly people who were present suffered considerable discomfort. Brown asked if a tent might be provided next year for the seniors and people on medication who should not be exposed to the sun.

John Anthony commented that they had moved the time back for the ceremony to the 10 a.m. start in a bid to cope with summer heat, but that had had limited effect this year.

Roseanne Sullivan observed that Anthony should be commended for keeping his jacket on throughout the ceremony, despite the heat and the rest of the board agreed. Dr. Bassett commented that it had been a well-organized ceremony.

"In an hour and a half we shook hands with 470 students," said Bassett. "There were five Principal's Awards given out and two students made very nice speeches. And, it was still very hot, but that's the way it goes."

Joan Carbone commented that this year's graduating class had been a very respectful and well behaved class.

Dr. Bassett said that the final week of school had been especially positive in all the buildings. "Joan and I got to go to events at all the schools, and that week wrapped up the school year in a very positive manner."

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