[{"_1":2,"_124":-5,"_125":-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",[32,76,88,100,112],{"_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":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6035828,"mediaKeyId","5095905-bf9e4a421d47b092355b18f8f4e9b0a0","parentId",5095905,"title","Board actions and votes — April 8, 2025 Port Washington BOE meeting","audioSeconds",15351,"startMs",43000,"endMs",15394000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5095905-bf9e4a421d47b092355b18f8f4e9b0a0&start=43&end=15394","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5095905-bf9e4a421d47b092355b18f8f4e9b0a0/thumbnail_43000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6035828/New-York/Board-actions-and-votes-April-8-2025-Port-Washington-BOE-meeting","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6035828-dfb4973ae0395db21cf20aeb706b93a7/orig.mp4?Expires=1771016292&Signature=MWGTN-8dIvdO7deJNPq-yGnVqFLYwjh3Wq-QlQqCDMk3rcilDeWSNqRdjTQ2KS0~L4i3O2bKWxJkjg5J9lu59bOw8F6r7ccSt8HBQUFMxiFFmoW0DjTRPkhQrzGamlmclp09JYkq6Ept3WUbFDt9CXDXAC8vGiyU3hwtO3hs02QqAckzTYisOjX2cLJdoQZvb7wqTKxYJklcXyhfobd86lS2-iVQsIkQK3Os1WY--upSRYHETKJK1v7eoY7dcaAoeTed~-DpGOue8oTFqZ551pkr~17D23kgJNFTXa~PPBpWPmsmgp60woA-hj2Yd1wnNNdz5VkhO5yfEc2JaWLqXA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Port Washington UFSD","date","2025-04-09T02:00:05Z","article","This summary lists formal motions and recorded vote tallies taken during the Port Washington Board of Education meeting on April 8, 2025.

Adopt agenda (Motion: adopt 04/08/2025 agenda). Motion made by Board President Adam Smith; second by Trustee Nanette Melkonian. Vote: 6–0 in favor. (Transcript segment: motion and tally recorded earlier in the meeting.)

Recess to executive session (first recess): Motion to recess into executive session to discuss the employment of a particular person. Motion made by Board President Adam Smith; second by Trustee Deborah Brooks. Vote: 6–0 in favor. (Transcript indicates the board adjourned to executive session early in the meeting.)

Approve minutes: Motion to approve the March 17, 2025 Budget & Facilities meeting minutes and the March 25, 2025 BOE meeting minutes. Motion made by Board President Adam Smith; second by Trustee Emily Bays. Vote: 7–0 in favor.

Consent agenda: Motion to approve consent agenda items (13.10.1 through 13.6.02a). Motion made by Board President Adam Smith; second by Trustee Nanette Melkonian. Vote: 7–0 in favor.

Recess to executive session (final recess for contractual negotiations): Motion to recess to executive session for contractual negotiations. Motion made by Board President Adam Smith; second by Trustee Milconian. Vote recorded as 6–1 in favor; board recessed to executive session and did not return to open session.

Notes: Votes are recorded as provided in the meeting transcript. No ordinances, resolutions or bills requiring separate articles were presented or adopted at this meeting.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","BOE MEETING 4/8/2025","oneSentenceSummary","Key motions and vote tallies recorded during the April 8 meeting, including agenda adoption, recesses to executive session, approval of minutes and the consent agenda.","taxTitle","PORT WASHINGTON UNION FREE SCHOOL DISTRICT, School Districts, New York","taxId",38298,"location","New York","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6035832,"Residents warn Board of Education that Manor Haven apartment projects could increase enrollment pressure",367,5880000,6247000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5095905-bf9e4a421d47b092355b18f8f4e9b0a0&start=5880&end=6247","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5095905-bf9e4a421d47b092355b18f8f4e9b0a0/thumbnail_5880000.jpg","/articles/6035832/New-York/Residents-warn-Board-of-Education-that-Manor-Haven-apartment-projects-could-increase-enrollment-pressure","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6035832-cf303a39e9e0c25c9f2ecb3ea24681f8/orig.mp4?Expires=1771016292&Signature=G3ZS8hPBt4gFx03XSRG98qX30XruThIE4vjXLduLa00MKfIIWP1BJpl0a5oWbQVeX-zzM27VFIBQG0SIlr7HD~dk7Snm66rsOHazsPvCh7p40V~jyv5R-3490mp5OT5P3Ij6oLUa9Q9X7xyTU400NzsoNz9mzbw0L4OfreEtThXrLx-l6txmn0OeKPqODpEiLgezM25KwIxD70Nfk1ydSYF4GDrtiHkrt1lqoVhpkTS43GiUiGmtLIIaWI-LwgJs5Q50~vi2Crb7NwCMwCrjx93NCwkCL9gjy9hqxxAz~d6a~DhbINscz4Xr8lgZdBWawJPZYlAc6QidLLl2oL0lyA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Two residents at the April 8 Port Washington Board of Education meeting urged trustees to engage with local zoning processes after hearing about two residential projects in Manor Haven they said could increase school enrollment.

Nicole Leonard Syscanic told the board a project at 22 Sagamore Hill Drive is nearly complete and, she said, contains about 16 two‑bedroom apartments. She also said that the board of zoning appeals recently approved variances at 30 Sagamore Hill Drive that would allow a separate project of approximately 49 two‑ and three‑bedroom apartments. Syscanic said the second project is expected to require a developer presentation and public hearing before the Manor Haven board of trustees on April 23.

She asked the district and the community to be part of conversations in Manor Haven because such developments could change enrollment and capacity at Guggenheim and other schools serving that neighborhood.

Trustees acknowledged capacity concerns and said the administration would include development‑driven projections in the summer enrollment analysis they requested be finalized before budget adoption.","Residents whose children attend Guggenheim and other elementary schools told the board that two recently approved or near‑complete apartment projects in Manor Haven could add dozens of apartments and strain school capacity in affected attendance zones.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6035836,"Board fast‑tracks first read of ex‑officio student‑member policy; trustees debate attendance and election details",890,12982000,13872000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5095905-bf9e4a421d47b092355b18f8f4e9b0a0&start=12982&end=13872","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5095905-bf9e4a421d47b092355b18f8f4e9b0a0/thumbnail_12982000.jpg","/articles/6035836/New-York/Board-fasttracks-first-read-of-exofficio-studentmember-policy-trustees-debate-attendance-and-election-details","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6035836-5892ea740eb3e95eae632fc7234765b8/orig.mp4?Expires=1771016292&Signature=PaQfieDpla4ondM-drWYsnH6Q-T2c5HKVXCIetvVAX599QjJ7KRKP5hQsqxCCwE60rLCE64oOpTZgZTCve~oTI6diLK3x2g0Fk68DPl8Wp8yps1fQAuFEuMldbDaNYFdH89JeuGVF9XeSlDyHV1wDTvQaVk1tPZ-GU3uye0rBVUKaoewu4PaCxHGYNy5WUHDTGdZuhDspICoUDen7i~HP2YZS6A9iU1RU6p8zC79xyNrWh6NNlaTDjUy8RN5tu9jNaJhdaiTK0zMDl5ZFW2m79qtWRqAwfvJzqiu7Ewr2iyJGtdefqhrC-3ChtgTnOEqrDCe-rb0kzjDGwLmIoSH3g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Port Washington Union Free School District Board of Education advanced a draft policy on April 8 to create an ex‑officio student member from Schreiber High School; the item was placed on the agenda as a first read following work by the policy committee.

Policy Committee Chair Trustee Deborah Brooks summarized revisions that merged model language (NISPA) with counsel suggestions. The draft designates an ex‑officio student representative to attend public regular evening board meetings, with language allowing the student to be excused early \"upon notice and approval of the board president.\" Trustees debated whether to include a specific clock time (09:30 p.m.) or to leave discretion to the president; some favored a time limit to protect minors from very late meetings.

Trustees voted informally on procedural elements of the draft during the discussion: they set an eligibility requirement of at least one year of attendance at Schreiber High School for candidates, excluded outgoing seniors from the voting pool, and directed that appointment occur at the board's regular June meeting. Trustees also discussed notice and resignation procedures: they agreed on an \"optimally two‑week\" written notice for a resignation and accepted counsel's suggestion that a building principal appoint a temporary replacement if there is no alternate and the district risks noncompliance with the statutory requirement to have a student member.

Committee members said the policy will be revised to reflect the board's direction and returned for adoption at a future meeting to meet a legal deadline for placing a student in position by summer.","The board's policy committee presented a draft to create an ex‑officio student member (policy 2245) for Schreiber High School. Trustees discussed eligibility, voting population, term logistics, and contingencies if a member resigns.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6035841,"Interim superintendent outlines district goals, enrollment and administrative priorities",3571,9109000,12680000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5095905-bf9e4a421d47b092355b18f8f4e9b0a0&start=9109&end=12680","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5095905-bf9e4a421d47b092355b18f8f4e9b0a0/thumbnail_9109000.jpg","/articles/6035841/New-York/Interim-superintendent-outlines-district-goals-enrollment-and-administrative-priorities","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6035841-7a249a3b10ecd9ea1eb74c887bce0f34/orig.mp4?Expires=1771016292&Signature=aviKxzMxSdJAwwi9JAL~rGYbmDoWa4GXBCJOUF8rYDqmvi25cnzfbTO5V9d6E0wq-OQeJ4e8zRZfj~QEny6YWmWpyQyGI7XBu7oN2QZWvWLL0N~B11NBj3YbqC84A-xRcj7y-PoohBZCEy9dDY9BNu-OzxX-PwstOh6odwJCNkvDNcc8hcv9jjjmwgmDtuntXeeyo5~EVYxd-fds-viPRJeE1qF5l3IwC84UnjydCSYrMOKy56gInbKOrq6oLiY1VqQOTswqcBbwZO53uXO4C3NPdN-rl3r8-H-J7v9XejBdFK~qYQLsO8O6IetaL0wRmwk55KPkp5HrNfkGI-R2ow__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Interim Superintendent Dr. Shields updated the Port Washington Union Free School District Board of Education on April 8 about work since taking the interim role in November, priorities for the district, and next steps toward a five‑year strategic plan.

Dr. Shields said the district ran its enrollment report on April 2 and recorded 5,267 students in grades K–12, 37 more than the same date last year. She said the district will not present a formal budget tonight because the state budget remained unsettled and the most recent extender had expired the prior day.

Dr. Shields described three immediate objectives she set on taking the role: provide a smooth administrative transition, continue progress on board goals, and lead the 2025–26 budget development. She said Rosemarie Colletti Martin joined the cabinet as assistant superintendent for human resources and leadership development on Jan. 2 to support those efforts.

The interim superintendent outlined progress on board goals: implementing the i‑Ready math program in grades K–6, approving a new professional development plan, publishing a quarterly translatable newsletter called Port Spotlight, and launching a new RTI plan pending PGCD approval. She said the Wendell feasibility study and a district transportation plan are underway, and reimagining middle‑level education will produce recommendations this spring after student, teacher and parent focus groups.

Dr. Shields described actions to strengthen school climate, cultural competency programs (including outside programming on antisemitism), and a new onboarding process for new enrollees that uses an online workflow and a forthcoming digital onboarding guide. She also described operational opportunities such as expanding cross‑training, embracing data use, and exploring grant writing and new revenue sources.

In closing, Dr. Shields framed these items as foundations for a future five‑year strategic plan and emphasized continuing outreach with parents, union leaders, municipal officials and community partners.

Trustees posed clarifying questions about curricular organization at the secondary level and gathering student voice for the middle‑level reimagining effort. Dr. Shields agreed to incorporate staff and student feedback into upcoming focus groups and to schedule an I‑Ready progress report for a future meeting.","Interim Superintendent Dr. Shields reported on enrollment, staffing additions to the cabinet, implementation steps on curriculum and communication, and five opportunity areas for a future five‑year strategic plan.",{"_33":113,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":114,"_41":115,"_43":116,"_45":117,"_47":118,"_49":119,"_51":120,"_53":121,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":122,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":123,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6035845,"Port Washington BOE discusses class-size reductions, budget trade-offs and proposed removal of pre-K counselor",2387,9291000,11678000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5095905-bf9e4a421d47b092355b18f8f4e9b0a0&start=9291&end=11678","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5095905-bf9e4a421d47b092355b18f8f4e9b0a0/thumbnail_9291000.jpg","/articles/6035845/New-York/Port-Washington-BOE-discusses-class-size-reductions-budget-trade-offs-and-proposed-removal-of-pre-K-counselor","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6035845-4a3b1d6e9f8965b42ff612a1a7fa463e/orig.mp4?Expires=1771016292&Signature=mV7-BzKlkf7xlHXAdHDsIf5VQkgOYjjPdPmZiA2tUpK5R2WvnjPNxflZnhh7Odbv2mNwaFbW1UhFcAo0GimEucqott-MOONxHKQcXNPXln05X55PWSPtX735ous1wcNk2gtk0Xx-9ZMHLfLm0Xc8Iqklq4cMRIq9w7IfVA4eMC5ArGAYnDo-xwuVz8bUQw5pbDbSmCXBSLq35DoEh-wVBxaBtFY7FZOuR7swiJ2ntuWKKsVCt1FWkk7nopJWfXzMFWvjhr0uW-q35ydMnKpKd59in81OHbdWViwUUFWoJFNQ~~-AUbA67bIWY9DmgL5mQBEVfmCSoyzJmT-03EvkxQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Trustees on the Port Washington Union Free School District Board of Education on April 8 discussed efforts to reduce elementary class sizes for 2025–26 while balancing budget and facility limits.

Community members said smaller classes are urgent; multiple parents urged the board to adopt lower policy maximums rather than rely on annual budget choices. Ally White, HSA co‑president, told trustees that \"adding 72 pre‑K students to the daily counselor's caseload is not comparable\" because many pre‑K families have limited English proficiency and other onboarding needs. Jessica Milwani and other parents also asked how McKinney‑Vento work will be reassigned if the pre‑K counselor position is cut.

Interim Superintendent Dr. Shields and trustees discussed a recommendation to fund \"up to three\" FTEs so most elementary classes would be at least one student below current policy maximums for 2025–26. Trustees and administrators repeatedly framed the options as two levers: changing policy maximums (a governance decision) or allocating budget dollars to hire staff (a budget decision). Trustee Deborah Brooks said changing policy without committing money could be \"misleading,\" while Trustee Julie Epstein described adding one FTE as a \"happy medium\" and supported continuing the multi‑year conversation.

Board members and speakers described the tradeoffs. Trustees noted facility constraints at some schools could limit how many additional sections could be created even if funding were available. Several trustees said they prefer to continue the administration's path of targeted FTE additions rather than changing the written class‑size maximums now; they asked administrators to refine summer enrollment analyses to target resources equitably across buildings.

Parents and other speakers pressed the board to plan for projected growth tied to local residential development. Nicole Leonard Syscanic described two Manor Haven projects she said will add apartments in Guggenheim's elementary district and urged the district and community to engage with local zoning and developers about future capacity impacts.

On the pre‑K counselor role, parents described the position's duties beyond counseling: onboarding families into ParentSquare, helping with emergency contacts and school supplies, delivering age‑appropriate social‑emotional lessons, and coordinating transitions to kindergarten. Trustees and administration said questions about reassigning McKinney‑Vento duties, stipends or training for staff who assume those responsibilities, and the staffing impacts across buildings remain under review.

Speakers also raised classroom technology and supply tradeoffs related to the pre‑K program. A parent asked why district‑issued iPads and charging carts are provided to three‑ and four‑year‑olds and whether reassigning carts (20 carts costing about $24,000 total; removing four carts would save roughly $4,000–$5,000) could free resources. Trustees said a scheduled May presentation on technology pedagogy will address device use in pre‑K and in early elementary grades.

The board asked administration to continue detailed budget and facility analyses over the spring and summer, and to forecast the impact of adding 1–3 FTEs under a range of enrollment outcomes. Trustees said they expect administration to present how proposed hires would be targeted, which buildings would be affected, and how McKinney‑Vento responsibilities would be reassigned if the pre‑K counselor position is eliminated.

The board did not change policy 44‑20 at the April 8 meeting; trustees agreed to continue budgetary and summer‑enrollment work and to return to class‑size decisions as part of final budget adoption scheduled for April 22.","Trustees and community members pressed the Port Washington Union Free School District Board of Education on class-size policy, possible hiring of up to three full-time equivalent (FTE) positions to reduce elementary class sizes, and the proposed elimination of a part-time pre-K counselor who also serves as the district McKinney‑Vento coordinator.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Board actions and votes — April 8, 2025 Port Washington BOE meeting

Residents warn Board of Education that Manor Haven apartment projects could increase enrollment pressure

Board fast‑tracks first read of ex‑officio student‑member policy; trustees debate attendance and election details

Interim superintendent outlines district goals, enrollment and administrative priorities

Port Washington BOE discusses class-size reductions, budget trade-offs and proposed removal of pre-K counselor