[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-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],{"_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",6374966,"mediaKeyId","2142737-18b56511fd31435932bee92ccb73beb7","parentId",2142737,"title","Board approves routine personnel, contracts and financial items; appoints two elementary principals","audioSeconds",6574,"startMs",2631000,"endMs",9205000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2142737-18b56511fd31435932bee92ccb73beb7&start=2631&end=9205","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2142737-18b56511fd31435932bee92ccb73beb7/thumbnail_2631000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6374966/New-York/Board-approves-routine-personnel-contracts-and-financial-items-appoints-two-elementary-principals","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6374966-ae455cbcb38a6da749de4f8fadce221f/orig.mp4?Expires=1777288233&Signature=kjPB4qrJnyhArusyp4LvIdxGpvOifsIbxbYXqIRv-p9sMFqGoi-oGQXScYhSLORrRMoudC0UAYYrnXG6e-HInZVEdomUFj8DiiUtOD64E0flO2eTlNn8Yn1qTLcO4MKL-SI7CfGvDVoYUATGpOSO6FM~~IKpiYuQjrKhKQfyMllbaJ546v~Y7Hvku6uEQiEnKobZNUjg4OqJ-A5qUBvoeDMnTyW0Fn07at7Ete8VjllxoGKNsSVKDw3dreYTv~KzW0J~W7u6v-S47wiiIGiyq4oe5AeLb-6fm3ZlpTYOChFGYVpdn2h5BqQtHU27DNmLwiOZYku79b4S3oCUsXj8hA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","","date","2025-01-23T05:00:31Z","article","The Syosset Central School District Board of Education approved multiple consent and action items during its June meeting, including personnel appointments, standard contract authorizations and budgetary resolutions.

The board voted on a series of routine items under the A, B and C consent calendars and several standalone motions. Many consent items were taken and approved without extended discussion; when a roll call was required the board conducted it publicly.

Notable actions and results
- Appointment of two elementary principals: The board moved and approved the appointment of Kelli Morgan as principal at Willets Elementary and Clara Kang as principal at Bayless Elementary. The board welcomed both appointees during the meeting.
- Acceptance of district treasurer report and foundation-aid plan: The board accepted Dr. Ruffo’s treasurer’s report and the foundation-aid plan (motion by Lynn, seconded by Shawnee) with no opposition recorded.
- District-wide School Safety Plan amended: Following the appointments of the two principals, the board amended the district-wide school safety team resolution to add the new principals’ names and approved the amended resolution.
- Tax anticipation note resolution (C4): The board approved a tax anticipation note resolution by roll call; each board member present voted \"Aye.\" The roll-call sequence as read in the meeting recorded aye votes from Lynn, Bridal (Carol Chang), Shawnee, Carol (name repeated), Tom, Lisa, Anna, Susan and Jack.
- Other routine approvals: The board approved staff appointments and rate tables (stipend/hourly rates), summer guidance counselors, staff salary adjustments, unaligned staff employment agreements, driver’s-education coordinators and instructors for 2023–24, supervision rates, Committee on Special Education and Preschool Special Education recommendations, destruction of last year’s cast ballots, second reading of the acceptable‑use policy, authorization of service contracts, special-education and nursing contracts, health and welfare services, award of bids, acceptance of donations, disposal of surplus equipment and the acceptance of the independent audit report for the 2022 fiscal year.

Why it matters: These votes finalize routine personnel and fiscal actions needed for the 2023–24 school year and conclude the board’s immediate approval calendar for operational matters. The appointments and budget approvals enable hiring, program setup and contract execution ahead of the summer and the new school year.

Meeting process notes: Many items were approved by motion and voice vote (“All in favor? Opposed? Any abstentions?”). For items requiring a roll call, the board recorded individual ayes as part of the official record.

Ending: The board completed the organized consent agenda and other actions and adjourned after the scheduled items were taken.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Board of Education Meeting - June 12, 2023","oneSentenceSummary","The Syosset Board of Education approved a slate of personnel appointments, business and contractual resolutions and budget-related authorizations, including the appointments of Kelli Morgan (Willets Elementary) and Clara Kang (Bayless Elementary) as principals and a roll-call approval of a tax anticipation note.","taxTitle","Syosset Central School District, School Districts, New York","taxId",50823,"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},6374971,"Syosset treasurer outlines $7.9M foundation-aid increase and spending plan for tutoring, mental-health supports",101,2143000,2244000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2142737-18b56511fd31435932bee92ccb73beb7&start=2143&end=2244","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2142737-18b56511fd31435932bee92ccb73beb7/thumbnail_2143000.jpg","/articles/6374971/New-York/Syosset-treasurer-outlines-79M-foundation-aid-increase-and-spending-plan-for-tutoring-mental-health-supports","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6374971-ca89352b1dc6af107da5ea89663b84fe/orig.mp4?Expires=1777288233&Signature=jdiDwnDxOidIiQifyD079bqz-ZNK7KK1vm3vpooFdES-IuZGqpUGoHCkMGQ4s5wheGLCGRwhqCkTtoHvBLUpho0qiP0WNyEO2ZYDEizjrsC086EjCSGVrYfI00ly2JJ-rY-exReoDvl8kw7pcI2Fh21NlkVwnUBnkgN5qZA-K~~w3wDEbWVP1opSvoxZwVj7onmbnlAfR5sYlMGcVwgGp~AM7MPgjDrprmJy7e46vT3xUzu~8JD4DxB~fShcF-tG8Mz77KYrs-aPwL4iklhKCAPc8g10fvuxQHyJ6535jLAeAHuAY-a6rDG1XKcEsE0xGIuym~IPJvw2T-tDDaQwHw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Syosset Central School District Board of Education heard a summary of the district’s foundation-aid allocation and a high-level plan for using the new funds for the coming school year.

Dr. Lauren Ruffo, the district’s treasurer and presenter on the topic, said the state budget for 2023–24 included a foundation-aid increase of “approximately $7,900,000 or 50% over the amount we received in the 22–23 budgeted foundation aid.” She also reported the district’s cash position, saying, “the cash on hand for the month end April 2023 was $82,849,239.”

Why it matters: The infusion of state aid gives the district one-time or recurring capacity to expand academic interventions, student supports and staffing without immediately increasing local property‑tax levies; the board must still approve specific budget items and staffing allocations as part of the district budget process.

Planned uses presented
- Academic interventions and acceleration: additional tutors and instructional staff, professional development to address learning loss, early literacy programs and instructional-technology tools such as Chromebooks and content subscriptions for remediation and enrichment.
- Mental-health and wellness: a planned partnership with Northwell Mental Health to provide streamlined interventions, individual counseling services for students and families, immediate crisis support and professional development for staff. Dr. Ruffo credited Assistant Superintendent for Pupil Personnel Services Erin Goldwith for securing the partnership.
- Student-support staffing: funding to place a social worker in each of the district’s 10 buildings.
- Special education and ELL: additional instructional support staff (tutors, teacher aides, therapists), expanded contractual services and related-services support such as speech and occupational therapy.
- Expanded instructional opportunities: additional secondary-level instructional resources to meet enrollment increases and to offer more science programming.

Board reaction and vote
Board members asked whether the new aid level is likely to continue; Dr. Ruffo said the state’s intent is to bring underfunded districts up to their full foundation aid but that “there are economic factors” that affect future levels. A motion to accept Dr. Ruffo’s foundation-aid plan was made (mover: Lynn; second: Shawnee) and taken without opposition.

What happens next
Dr. Ruffo said the district will post the summary plan on its website under the budget section and that the detailed allocations had been discussed during the budget process. Staff will bring specific staffing and contract items back through the district’s normal approval channels as part of the 2023–24 budgeting and hiring cycle.

Ending: The board acknowledged the size of the state aid increase and directed staff to continue refining the implementation details and to report back as allocations are finalized.","District Treasurer Dr. Lauren Ruffo told the board that the enacted New York State budget increased Syosset's foundation aid by roughly $7.9 million for 2023-24 and outlined plans to use the funds for academic interventions, expanded mental-health services and increased special-education and English-language‑learner supports.",{"_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},6374976,"Syosset board hears $88 million building-condition estimate, explores portable replacements and Woodbury renovation",685,3533000,4218000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2142737-18b56511fd31435932bee92ccb73beb7&start=3533&end=4218","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2142737-18b56511fd31435932bee92ccb73beb7/thumbnail_3533000.jpg","/articles/6374976/New-York/Syosset-board-hears-88-million-building-condition-estimate-explores-portable-replacements-and-Woodbury-renovation","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6374976-99fcadbfb8e005951a4d429a9cd79a02/orig.mp4?Expires=1777288233&Signature=KZVl8jyH-RRcTs7L~QbFcegdRu0EGQGcqgqm~DlJ~5FpQZZq5ogp9rxbSc5~YBORSUyK8G8OnNgaJp7tFrEJs-MpYpaV8pvV6-7WtRSbYh1piHuaaGUKmQKvdO-jxKSFW5eiB--oDIy3Ad25dKWjfFbW457Hj7S46Hu3mUZtzrXqHd55BJT8vSsOgJROURG4TKeGyMlyPEx57Y6sIV32v2W5zDA4tSze7hZPOMqasC-SWDtnhNaQxyewckl1r0gL09k87SB5Od5xc8voTGvP2p4azHdQtsQLe7HM4rpZJu~jc6hyjZbBZiJXIayYz-vamLn5saumUSKnV~9aKJiZkQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Syosset Central School District Board of Education on Wednesday reviewed a districtwide visual inspection and building-condition survey that found extensive deferred maintenance and infrastructure needs across facilities largely built in the 1950s.

District Superintendent Dr. Jonathan Rogers said the inspection showed the district’s buildings were “essentially turning 70 together,” noting original electrical, plumbing and heating systems and an enrollment “bubble” that will move through elementary, middle and high schools. “We’re seeing an enrollment bubble that is going to work its way through the district,” he said.

Consultants from H2M, the district’s architecture and engineering firm, presented what they described as a hybrid report combining the state-mandated visual inspection (focused on safety and health) and a deeper building-condition review. Kevin Medler, an architect with H2M, said the hybrid approach was intended to help the board prioritize and budget repairs.

Why it matters: The district’s buildings are aging while enrollment pressure reduces spare capacity. The board must decide which projects to fund through annual budgets, transfers from reserves or a bond; projects that qualify for state building aid could be partially reimbursed but require lengthy review by the New York State Education Department (SED).

Key findings and cost estimates
- Total estimated need for building repairs and systems: about $88,000,000. The consultants broke that into roughly $23,000,000 of work the district might fund in-house or via transfers and $65,100,000 in larger projects that would more likely require outside contracting or borrowing.
- Portable classroom replacement options: the consultants provided two construction-cost scenarios to replace aging portables and add capacity where needed — roughly $14,000,000 if built with pre-engineered/prefabricated construction and about $21,000,000 if built as concrete masonry units (CMU) with masonry veneer. H2M noted some sites are too tight for CMU without disrupting classrooms, making prefabrication a schedule-driven alternative.
- Specific projects cited: additional classrooms at South Woods (preliminary estimate about $1,000,000), a possible Woodbury School rehabilitation (rough estimate about $6,000,000) to create administrative swing space and relieve South Woods, and multiple roof, masonry and site repairs across schools.
- Science laboratories, bathrooms, electrical panels and plumbing were singled out as recurring needs. Medler said 10 science labs were identified for future renovation to increase instructional flexibility and meet modern curricular needs.

Funding, aid and timeline constraints
- H2M and district staff said SED plan review and permitting typically require long lead times; Dr. Rogers noted that SED engineering approvals can take roughly 40 weeks. Consultants confirmed SED lead time is the same whether a project is prefabricated or traditionally built.
- The district’s projected state building-aid reimbursement rate used in the discussion is roughly 42% for qualifying educational construction, a material change from earlier years and an important factor in evaluating borrowing. Officials said the current aid rate was not applied line-by-line in the estimate provided.
- Construction-cost escalation, supply-chain issues and higher interest rates were cited as upward pressures on the estimates; the consultants included escalation assumptions in their five-year planning numbers.

Board questions and next steps
Board members asked for triage of urgent safety/health items versus longer-term \"wish-list\" projects and for sequencing across a five-year plan. Medler said the consultants will prioritize highest‑risk items into years 1–5 so the board can weigh what to include in the next budget cycle.

Dr. Rogers described a two-part public process: (1) continued review and public engagement, including facility tours and focus groups, and (2) a formal public-approval step if the board decides to put a capital project or bond before voters. He warned that even after public approval, design and permitting add months before construction can start.

Quotes from the record
- \"The buildings are essentially turning 70 together,\" said Dr. Rogers.
- \"The visual inspections are based upon safety,\" said Kevin Medler of H2M.
- \"You do not get aid on portables. If you do build construction, you do get aid,\" said Megan Bellotto of H2M about state reimbursement rules for classroom space.

What the board directed
Board members requested a more detailed triage list that separates immediate health-and-safety priorities from longer-term upgrades, and asked H2M to identify which specific items are candidates for transfer-to-capital work versus bond-funded projects. The board scheduled facility tours and said it will continue public engagement before settling on a specific project list for voter consideration.

Ending: The discussion closed with agreement on additional analysis and public outreach. H2M and district staff will return with further prioritization, refined estimates and recommendations on sequencing projects and potential combinations of transfer-to-capital work and bond-funded construction.","The Syosset Central School District heard results of a combined visual inspection and building-condition survey that identified roughly $88 million in needed repairs and upgrades across aging facilities, and discussed options to add classroom space including prefabricated versus masonry construction and a potential Woodbury School renovation.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Board approves routine personnel, contracts and financial items; appoints two elementary principals

Syosset treasurer outlines $7.9M foundation-aid increase and spending plan for tutoring, mental-health supports

Syosset board hears $88 million building-condition estimate, explores portable replacements and Woodbury renovation