Note to readers: The Livingston Manor School Board meetings have been rescheduled for the fourth Monday of each month, often too late to be published in a timely manner in the print edition of the paper. Manor Ink’s monthly reports will thus appear regularly here online, and in the print paper whenever possible.
LMCS board may soon include a student member
School Board meeting of July 29
The meeting was called to order at 5 p.m., and the board went into executive session. They returned to the public portion of the meeting shortly after 6:30 p.m.
Administrative Reports: Reports were given by Adam Larson, high school principal; Jeff Froehlich, school business manager; Lauren Marrero, director of special services; David Eggleton, director of physical education; and Chris Hubert, elementary principal.
Superintendent’s Updates: The following items were discussed by Supt. John Evans.
Capital Project Update: Last week Roscoe Central School’s Director of Facilities Ryan Vogler and Supt. John Evans met with representatives of the county, town, NYSEG and the engineer working with SEI Design on improvements to the school’s access bridge from Main Street over the Willowemoc Creek. The design, which raises the bridge 18 inches higher than the existing structure, was reviewed. The discussions were a follow-up to a Zoom meeting held the previous week to confirm various flood-plain compliance concerns. The project is moving forward.
Maximum Temperature Bill: This is a new bill recently approved by the NY State Legislature that would set maximum temperature levels in schools, and in extreme cases would require students and staff to stay home if air conditioning is not available. It is likely to be signed into law by the Gov. Kathy Hochul. As written, there is no money associated with its implementation. Heat days are similar to snow days, cancelling classes when the temperature exceeds 88 degrees in classrooms.
Student Board Member Bill: This bill would require each school board to include one student member; it also is likely to be signed into law by the governor. It requires the student representative to have attended the school for at least one year prior to being appointed. The candidate may be the student body president, a student selected by student government, by the high school principal, by the district superintendent or by a majority vote of the school board. The student board member would not have a vote or be able to attend any executive sessions or other meetings not open to the public.
Rural School Conference: Supt. Evans attended the NY State Rural Schools Association conference in Lake Placid, NY, from July 14 to 16. He and LMCS Cafeteria Manager Stephen Rogers gave a presentation on the LMCS farm-to-school program, which was well received. Overall, conference very informative.
Live Streaming Board Meetings: Recently, Supt. Evans was asked about the possibility of live streaming board meetings. After checking with the school’s attorney, Evans said there were several legal requirements that would have to be met if the board decides to pursue this option, including ways to live stream, whether the videos would have to be posted on the school’s website, and how long they would need to be preserved.
Action Items: The following items were voted and unanimously passed.
Minutes of the previous meeting, treasurer’s reports, revenue status and budget appropriation reports.
Warrant, CSE, CPSE and Section 504 recommendation.
Approval of fall sports mergers.
Disposal of excess equipment.
Consent Agenda: The consent agenda was approved as presented.
The specifics of all action items and those in the consent agenda are not read aloud at meetings. However, all dollars amounts and specific details of action. items and the consent agenda can be found at lmcs.k12.ny.us under the minutes of July 29.