[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":56,"_74":56},"mediaId",6371469,"mediaKeyId","2149515-f65a070289caf132628b9bdee7669903","parentId",2149515,"title","Votes at a glance: Ossining UFSD board actions on Jan. 22, 2025 (consent items, personnel and policy first readings)","audioSeconds",11662,"startMs",368000,"endMs",12030000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2149515-f65a070289caf132628b9bdee7669903&start=368&end=12030","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2149515-f65a070289caf132628b9bdee7669903/thumbnail_368000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6371469/New-York/Votes-at-a-glance-Ossining-UFSD-board-actions-on-Jan-22-2025-consent-items-personnel-and-policy-first-readings","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6371469-97532b5e57b2598535740de39e2d3fd4/orig.mp4?Expires=1770847277&Signature=Og5ZIQ7bC3nbUqbdN14EP-4b7PiIlOr1ZbhG4e6JslxVTCDxbWDiBcOLZHdV6oiEJ8XMAb-f8r6C9GgF5UZXEzecrjGysolBi1g7rnBELA7qya6flcPecS3GB1jYLICUECdSZlRic9TLZkeN-sxFMbXvlaRYB9WukL6~6OqaEPg~skvquscPT3fymy2jwTK4kT7G533XDYKJIW~6hb4DNaEaPBQ2P5b9Hh61NW61oPjF7G9i~ZSyAF-0C8qPLH8Hh3v4dTEMvRpBC4-323gQADlG6GDFY3QtLyzgaWybjnUPen917gJgwKrLHaXTbAIl2MCWFqcI5mm7f-W7Ycb81w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","","date","2025-01-25T08:25:54.99Z","article","What the board approved at the Jan. 22 meeting — quick summary and outcomes:

• Resolution 7.1 (tenure): Board moved and approved a motion concerning tenure for a teacher; the district celebrated the teacher’s tenure during the meeting. Outcome: approved by voice vote (recorded as \"Aye\" on the floor). Specific vote tally: not recorded in minutes.

• Consent business agenda (4.1–4.9): The board approved multiple business items by motion. Items read during the meeting included: appointing a section 75 hearing officer for 2024–25 (4.1); adopting the proposed 2025–26 district calendar (4.2); appointment of additional consultants for 2024–25 (4.3); and several personnel‑ and contract‑related resolutions (4.4–4.9) including side letters with bargaining units, authorization for the Lower Hudson Regional Information Center to negotiate data privacy agreements, and a facilities‑use agreement with Pace University. Outcome: approved by voice vote.

• Special‑education placements (5.1): The board voted to accept the recommended placements of special education students. Outcome: approved by voice vote.

• Business office consent items (6.1–6.3): The board approved treasurer’s reports (July–November 2024), budget and revenue reports for the same period, and interfund transfers. Staff explained the timeliness issue (reports were held pending the audit). Outcome: approved by voice vote.

• Personnel consent agenda (7.2–7.17): The board approved a slate of personnel items, including resignations, appointments, substitute and volunteer approvals, and negotiated side letters. Outcome: approved by voice vote; one noted abstention recorded for a professional reasons on one item.

• Policies (8.1 and 8.2): The board conducted first readings. Policy 5605 (student voter registration and preregistration) was presented as a first reading and taken up for a vote to accept the first reading; Policy 6710 (purchasing authority) was presented for first reading with language clarifications; both were moved forward by vote to remain in first‑reading status. Outcome: first readings adopted by voice vote.

• Executive session: The board voted to enter executive session to discuss personnel and employment matters. Outcome: motion carried by voice vote.

Items with limited detail in the record: many of the personnel actions (7.2–7.17) and consultant appointments were approved as consent items; the board did not read full roll‑call tallies on the floor for those items during the public portion of the meeting. Where the agenda listed specific resolution names, those names are recorded below; where the transcript did not read itemized motion text word‑for‑word the entry below uses the agenda description and marks missing details as \"not specified.\"

Votes — detailed list (agenda id, short description, mover/second if recorded, outcome, notes):

• 7.1 — Tenure approval for a staff member (Bradley Morrison celebrated in public remarks). Moved and approved by voice vote; no roll‑call tally given. Notes: tenure recognition and celebratory remarks by board.

• 4.1 — Resolution to appoint a Section 75 hearing officer for 2024–25. Outcome: approved (voice vote).

• 4.2 — Resolution to adopt the proposed 2025–26 school district calendar. Outcome: approved (voice vote).

• 4.3 — Resolution to appoint additional consultants for the 2024–25 school year. Outcome: approved (voice vote).

• 4.4 — Side letter agreement with the Austin Teachers Association regarding continuous service increments. Outcome: approved (voice vote).

• 4.5 — Side letter agreement with the Veil Service Employees Association regarding longevity. Outcome: approved (voice vote).

• 4.6 — Authorize Lower Hudson Regional Information Center to negotiate data privacy agreements. Outcome: approved (voice vote).

• 4.7 — Approve facilities‑use agreement with Pace University. Outcome: approved (voice vote).

• 4.8 — (Agenda item read; full text not specified in transcript.) Outcome: approved (voice vote).

• 4.9 — (Agenda item read; full text not specified in transcript.) Outcome: approved (voice vote).

• 5.1 — Accept recommended placements of special education students. Outcome: approved (voice vote).

• 6.1–6.3 — Treasurer’s reports, budget/revenue reports, and interfund transfers. Outcome: approved (voice vote). Note: staff explained the reports covered July–November 2024 and were issued after the audit completion.

• 7.2–7.17 — Personnel slate (rescissions, resignations, appointments, substitutes, volunteers, leaves). Outcome: approved (voice vote); one abstention recorded for a professional reason on one personnel item.

• 8.1 — First reading: Policy 5605 (student voter registration and preregistration). Outcome: first reading adopted to proceed (voice vote).

• 8.2 — First reading: Policy 6710 (purchasing authority). Outcome: first reading adopted to proceed (voice vote).

• Motion to enter executive session (personnel/employment matters). Outcome: approved (voice vote).

How votes were recorded: most items were approved by voice vote with the chair asking \"All in favor? Aye.\" Explicit roll‑call tallies were not read into the transcript for the consent and personnel blocks; where a board member abstained that was noted in the public record.

Documentation and follow up: the board clerk and business office will post official minutes and the full roll‑call if required. The audit materials and treasurer’s reports were noted to be posted on the district’s transparency page.

","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Board of Education Meeting January 22, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The Board approved multiple consent‑agenda business and personnel items, accepted recommended special‑education placements, and conducted first readings of two policies. The board also approved a tenure resolution (7.1) that was moved earlier in the meeting.","taxTitle","OSSINING UNION FREE SCHOOL DISTRICT, School Districts, New York","taxId",38331,"location","New York","headline","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":56,"_74":56},6371471,"Ossining arts director reports rising participation, expanded programs and strong post‑secondary placement",3228,6182000,9410000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2149515-f65a070289caf132628b9bdee7669903&start=6182&end=9410","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2149515-f65a070289caf132628b9bdee7669903/thumbnail_6182000.jpg","/articles/6371471/New-York/Ossining-arts-director-reports-rising-participation-expanded-programs-and-strong-postsecondary-placement","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6371471-13c8f94373c9c10775b08af5069f67c0/orig.mp4?Expires=1770847277&Signature=Wg-ztgnD9Q5NUyqnMAnVI6wJevzQkSL~D0KslgCcqY7Jzi7DRZ5cIBWcxbQKmKPOCIgvNHctsXOmmgGXmDeMgABm5bdPkCVtx7lEkNAGfONBxu5nJ~HtvGJWzK7zZyBtqXXDWSKQ-TQRi0p2j2ljMehCoinjJlVJzxtsuIdP-umHs0pAEYT~w8s5YceUvfKmtXNK5L9vRnldlll-Kf2aCOgwQJPvRYX5hdmY1CBLSI87wdqe2BSNXPNFSvPGhPPS-2jOC6m8pSL-85nTIY4DozzSmIf72XoKLssfboF6JV1VLqfmT6tV~br3SOKlYP3qHhNoZdCUvvZBDM7FUg6hHg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The district presented an update on K–12 visual and performing arts programs Wednesday, with Cultural Arts Director Kate Matthews saying enrollment and opportunities have expanded across buildings.

Matthews told the board that elementary before‑school band, chorus and orchestra programs have grown and that Claremont and Roosevelt programs are vigorous despite space constraints. She described a rise in musical‑theater and ensemble participation at AMD and said Ossining High School students continue to pursue AP and college‑level arts pathways; several recent graduates enrolled in competitive arts programs at SUNY Purchase, FIT and Queens College.

The nut graf: arts staff emphasized that expanded after‑school and elective offerings, the district’s long‑standing instrument‑loan program and partnerships with local cultural organizations are boosting access and giving students real‑world arts experiences.

Highlights: the director said the district’s free instrument program and small‑group lesson model are major strengths, and she noted the district was named a \"best community for music education\" by the relevant national organization multiple years running. The presentation described an E&L (English Learners) Summer Arts Academy that blends arts instruction with language supports and that awards a half‑credit for high‑school entrants; Matthews said the program has successfully helped newly enrolled students acclimate and earn credit.

Staff also reported that the middle‑school band and orchestra benefit when lessons are organized by instrument (homogeneous lesson groups), which improves targeted instruction and rehearsal quality. Matthews and board members discussed space constraints at Roosevelt and the high school’s busy auditorium schedule; several trustees said the 7–8 building and other bond projects will relieve current pressure.

Equity and access: Matthews said the district provides instruments for students who cannot afford them and partners with community organizations (Bethany Arts Community, Jacob Burns Film Center, NU Builds, Mike Risco Music Store) to broaden arts experiences. She said teachers are aligning curriculum K–12 to state standards and common vocabulary so students can discuss their art and music work more effectively.

Questions from trustees centered on club participation and participation by students with disabilities. Matthews said the district has grown before‑ and after‑school offerings but continues efforts to boost participation among 9th and 10th graders; she also noted specialized supports — including an in‑district music‑therapy relationship through Westchester Conservatory for students with more significant needs — that enable wider inclusion.

Ending: the board praised the arts team and encouraged continued efforts to increase participation and use community partnerships to expand opportunities for students while bond work aims to add dedicated spaces that will relieve current scheduling constraints.

","The district’s cultural arts director described growing enrollment in band, orchestra and theater programs, a summer arts academy for English learners, broad community partnerships and continued access to school‑owned instruments for students.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":56,"_74":56},6371477,"Ossining UFSD maps multi‑year capital program; SED approvals and SHPO reviews set timeline",3227,2943000,6170000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2149515-f65a070289caf132628b9bdee7669903&start=2943&end=6170","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2149515-f65a070289caf132628b9bdee7669903/thumbnail_2943000.jpg","/articles/6371477/New-York/Ossining-UFSD-maps-multiyear-capital-program-SED-approvals-and-SHPO-reviews-set-timeline","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6371477-f2d9ef345e4d288664e9b3ce3808816b/orig.mp4?Expires=1770847277&Signature=mP4ypJg-g0uwD1wbkWxODAYd49R3sO6acBvoBQGFLd~EGpaVHLGJQUrP8ktbI7t54WpdUw3~Mkoggnek8JbUkdn20E6AJIhkwFVuTegAOm3uFXBd-CYMKp585KcgvRISGZ1-TGeTAZV9PDaR3M7M0u0WXOyQ-UQXsJQxfWiD2EMnptZMjAXgq8YujS8VM8E9wrgKtp4klBErbEV~jebKQILgcPz5DJ7vqLEFW3pX2dsdNkmQ~ltnyM4GXClPfuBqowcbaIQ0TkzcmDiWer7gKhzMtGqveSgvm2yitzHTsSxlWyWyyDoPkkfNguziQkhSB~rtlZIYdBVPaYXTqdrevw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Ossining Union Free School District presented a multi‑year capital plan and bond schedule to the Board on Wednesday, outlining five overlapping construction phases and preparatory work that must be completed before the district can start major building work.

Consultants from CPL and ARIS described a plan that includes completed work at Park Elementary, a planned six‑classroom addition at Brookside, driveway and site work and air‑conditioning upgrades at the AMD campus, and multi‑phase high school renovations that begin with a two‑story addition over the locker rooms. Dave Hunsberger of CPL said the district is preparing a \"preliminary submission\" for the State Education Department in mid‑March that will collect program data, instructional space inventories and supporting documents the state needs to estimate building aid.

Why it matters: the district’s bond program will rely on building‑aid reimbursement and multiple state approvals; delays at the State Education Department (SED) or in State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) reviews will push bid and construction schedules and could increase costs.

Key points: Park Elementary’s second‑story addition is at substantial completion, and the district plans to put the Brookside classroom addition to bid early in February. The AMD campus work will include a new access driveway connecting to Stormytown Road, additional parking (consultants said roughly 104 new spaces tied to the project), and phased air‑conditioning upgrades for classroom instructional spaces. Chris Hanover of ARIS Contracting said the access road is scheduled to go out to bid in September; construction of the access road would begin in November with turnover targeted in September 2026. Air‑conditioning procurement has long lead times and the classroom HVAC work as planned would be constructed across 2025–26.

The consultants stressed the permitting and review process: the driveway, AMD site work and portions of the bond submissions require approvals from SED, SHPO, the Army Corps of Engineers and the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC). The church and rectory site that will be repurposed as part of the high school expansion must clear SHPO review and hazardous‑material abatement steps (consultants noted underground oil tanks and asbestos in the rectory), and that clearance must happen before the building can be demolished or altered.

Phasing and schedule: the bond program is divided into five phases; consultants said phases will overlap because many pre‑construction steps (surveying, geotechnical borings, structural analysis, SHPO coordination and fiscal reviews) take months. The district’s timeline shows heavy construction peaks around 2027–2029; consultants warned that SED fiscal review remains a bottleneck that can extend approval lead times.

Community impacts and mitigation: consultants said the driveway and added parking are intended to reduce on‑street congestion on Van Cortlandt and provide a staging area for construction traffic; the plan includes gates to prevent through‑traffic and stormwater mitigation systems to contain on‑site runoff. Board members asked about construction staging, bus routing, and how the driveway will be gated when school is not in session.

Next steps: consultants plan a preliminary submission to SED in mid‑March; site‑specific submissions and final design packages will follow. The board also discussed advocacy options: several trustees suggested contacting state representatives to request additional SED review resources if the state timelines threaten the district’s construction schedule.

Ending: the district and consultants said they will continue monthly updates to the board and the public as they complete survey and pre‑design work and prepare SED submissions. Board members and consultants emphasized the need to get the preliminary package right before submission so the SED fiscal review goes smoothly and reduces the risk of rework or delay.

","District and its consultants outlined a multi‑phase capital program and bond‑funded construction schedule. Board was told State Education Department reviews and State Historic Preservation Office clearances are the main timing risks; AMD access road, Brookside addition and HVAC upgrades are prioritized.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":56,"_74":56},6371482,"District auditors give Ossining UFSD a clean opinion; $1.24 million surplus, reserves used to fund capital",2068,852000,2920000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2149515-f65a070289caf132628b9bdee7669903&start=852&end=2920","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2149515-f65a070289caf132628b9bdee7669903/thumbnail_852000.jpg","/articles/6371482/New-York/District-auditors-give-Ossining-UFSD-a-clean-opinion-124-million-surplus-reserves-used-to-fund-capital","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6371482-dd33c073d7c1c3bbdff2a5b9c7c5bd7b/orig.mp4?Expires=1770847277&Signature=ViRVZzm~cSHicEckYmm7pZQcqN-HOHOjcbI5Xa6D4avzqgq3Nh-mIvx7qZ-OFFE05ozStZxXtz39WDqqDw2Qc2VMRWOM5gAKhDQS~Nf2ldz7zcw6VZkepmubtr45L~InuWNcyQPg9WpnSpxrjcQ3nIarbhZBgn4YSgPmC6hvxJbCM2YRZ0kCJf9w5PpS085oTS~UdKjtpXU-gPgBXe~CyCo2G6128ZPkxZLR32bCvk6Tq9KRkN6sVTar4rIIrn7K4i574NnPqiMHhYxsZtFB3NbSDNfFXS4txD3FAlIzZzkczpfNuv-jyw9puUukjSoccupEbJ98uJlyp8gisLianQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The external auditors for the Ossining Union Free School District issued an unmodified (clean) opinion on the district’s financial statements for the year ending June 30, 2024, and reported no material weaknesses, the district’s audit presentation showed.

In a summary presentation to the Board on Jan. 22, Alan, partner with PKF O’Connor Davies, said the firm \"issued an unmodified opinion,\" and found that the district’s financial reporting was prudent. He told the board there were no material misstatements, no instances of suspected fraud, and the auditors encountered \"no material weaknesses.\" The audit also recorded two management comments related to inactive student activity accounts and three deposits that were made late against a 72‑hour deposit expectation.

The nut graf: the audit confirms the district closed the year with a modest operating surplus and reserves in place to support upcoming capital work, but trustees and staff discussed how state aid variability and the timing of capital transfers will shape the 2024–25 budget.

Most important facts first: the auditors reported the district recorded a positive net change in fund balance of about $1,242,000 for the year, and the district appropriated about $5,000,000 of unassigned fund balance to help balance the 2024–25 budget. The audit papers reviewed transfers out totaling about $17.6 million, most of which were moved to the capital projects fund and to debt service to pay outstanding bonds.

Alan and staff attributed the year‑over‑year revenue increase largely to higher state foundation aid and stronger interest earnings on the district’s cash: auditors said state aid was roughly $10.8 million higher than the prior year and interest income rose by about $1.7 million. On the expenditure side, the audit notes increased spending on approved programs for students with disabilities (about $3.0 million) and higher employee benefit costs (about $4.0 million), which together explained much of the spending growth.

Board members asked auditors to explain how the district’s unassigned fund balance relates to New York State guidance. Alan said the district’s unassigned fund balance equals roughly 4% of the 2024–25 adopted budget and that the district is at the commonly accepted statutory guideline for unassigned fund balance. \"If you take your original adopted budget for 2024–25 and you divide the unassigned fund balance by that amount, it'll be exactly 4%,\" he said.

The audit included recommended clean‑up items for internal control: several inactive extracurricular accounts should be closed or reallocated; three deposits were made later than local practice and New York State guidance suggests deposits be made within 72 hours. Alan characterized those items as control efficiencies rather than material weaknesses.

Background and context: auditors said staffing shortages in the district’s business office delayed the fieldwork and report timing, but once the district’s new treasurer, Anthony Clark, and other new finance staff engaged, the audit proceeded and the report was issued in early January. Alan thanked Clark and the district bookkeeping staff for their cooperation during the audit.

Board reaction and next steps: trustees asked staff about how the district will use the surplus and reserves while staying within levy and fund‑balance rules. The treasurer and business office staff said the district will continue to appropriate limited amounts from reserves for planned capital projects and to smooth tax levy impacts. The audit committee and staff said they will post the audit materials on the district website under the business office transparency page, and the business office will follow up on the management letter items.

Ending: the audit presents a stable financial position as the district begins several major capital projects that will rely on capital reserves and planned building‑aid reimbursements. The board scheduled follow‑up questions about the tax levy limit calculation and the detailed fund‑balance breakout during the upcoming budget process.

","External auditors reported an unmodified (clean) opinion for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2024, noting no material weaknesses. The district posted an approximately $1.24 million surplus and moved multi‑million transfers to support capital projects and debt service; auditors flagged routine controls issues in student activity deposits.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Votes at a glance: Ossining UFSD board actions on Jan. 22, 2025 (consent items, personnel and policy first readings)

Ossining arts director reports rising participation, expanded programs and strong post‑secondary placement

Ossining UFSD maps multi‑year capital program; SED approvals and SHPO reviews set timeline

District auditors give Ossining UFSD a clean opinion; $1.24 million surplus, reserves used to fund capital