[{"_1":2,"_112":-5,"_113":-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],{"_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",6687751,"mediaKeyId","2173446-e0d8bfba96c54748c5a1606d925497bb","parentId",2173446,"title","Board approves routine consent items, policies advance to review; no contested votes reported","audioSeconds",2442,"startMs",33000,"endMs",2475000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2173446-e0d8bfba96c54748c5a1606d925497bb&start=33&end=2475","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2173446-e0d8bfba96c54748c5a1606d925497bb/thumbnail_33000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6687751/New-York/Board-approves-routine-consent-items-policies-advance-to-review-no-contested-votes-reported","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6687751-f936c64c09c661825bc4c8e610324c9e/orig.mp4?Expires=1771213338&Signature=TP8x7T5Vbnwb5~4BEf-~y8lY-kqclVCOlLkb05VSowqNWW9FdnlTPfy01qsr-KbIXmDV7v6e26nmg4STK2k8xcv7lac20yurHexxcOERxb5EwHMZQ1293n-kilbx6rdwiiOdsIKoHLKeY09dCUsvFX0ZD8aoWzWYz4yhsKxYXMB8xpjFxlr~JMJWaHZDoS088SpBmAK6oBRfic28RFeYrbfGtoI-kjfck4gzj2HIcg351s2ftry0N0Y32PFKxAdP6VfFPsgFsDMBwdeND35trTTZaYmGUi0oap2rriMvxSOKSv8basCFMi2gq25K~IglSHOm38Xh3UFCREXbxWC9MA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Sewanhaka CSHD","date","2025-01-29T06:15:18.147Z","article","The Sewanhaka Central High School District Board of Education on Jan. 28 approved routine consent and action items, including prior minutes, the school calendar and multiple curriculum, finance, personnel and legal items. The board also received reports and first‑review policy updates; no contested or recorded roll‑call tallies were provided in the public transcript.

Key outcomes at a glance:

- Approved: Dec. 7, 2024 regular meeting minutes (as corrected) and audit committee minutes. Motion moved by Miss Pelton, seconded by Miss O'Donohue. Chair called for voice vote; \"Aye\" recorded and motion carries.

- Approved: 2025‑26 school calendar. Motion moved by Miss Capers, seconded by Miss Wong. Chair called for voice vote; motion carries (no individual roll‑call tallies provided).

- Approved: Curriculum items A through L. Motion moved by Miss O'Donohue, seconded by Miss Wong. Voice vote: \"Aye.\" Motion carries.

- Approved: Finance and operations items A through H. Motion moved by Miss Pelton, seconded by Miss Capers. Voice vote: motion carries.

- Approved: Professional personnel agenda items A through V and civil service personnel items A through H. Professional personnel motion moved by Miss O'Donohue, seconded by Miss Wong; civil service motion moved by Miss Wong, seconded by Ms. Capers. Voice votes: motions carry.

- Approved: Support Services A — Committee on Special Education (CSE) recommendations. Motion moved by Ms. Peltonen, seconded by Ms. O'Donohue. Motion carries.

- Legal/business items: Board completed second review of the business budget transfers policy and gave first review to revisions of the district community use of facilities policy (recommended updates to insurance requirements to align with State recommendations). The board approved legal items A, B and C on voice vote after a motion by Miss Pelton and second by Miss O'Donohue.

Nut graf: Most approvals were handled as consent agenda motions or grouped action items and passed on voice votes; the transcript does not record detailed roll‑call tallies or any failed motions.

Ending: The board moved to public comment and received several remarks; the next regular meeting was announced for Feb. 25 at New Hyde Park Memorial High School.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Sewanhaka CHSD Board of Education Board Meeting 1/28/25 @ 8pm","oneSentenceSummary","At the Jan. 28 Sewanhaka board meeting, trustees approved minutes, the 2025‑26 school calendar, curriculum and multiple finance, personnel and legal agenda items; the board took no contested votes on individual items at the meeting.","taxTitle","SEWANHAKA CENTRAL HIGH SCHOOL DISTRICT, School Districts, New York","taxId",66402,"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},6687756,"Students and parent urge Sewanhaka board to make Eid an official district holiday instead of superintendent conference day",346,2521000,2867000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2173446-e0d8bfba96c54748c5a1606d925497bb&start=2521&end=2867","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2173446-e0d8bfba96c54748c5a1606d925497bb/thumbnail_2521000.jpg","/articles/6687756/New-York/Students-and-parent-urge-Sewanhaka-board-to-make-Eid-an-official-district-holiday-instead-of-superintendent-conference-day","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6687756-f66e5ed33f3d1bd0b6b50ebef484e1fa/orig.mp4?Expires=1771213338&Signature=C933OBJNHfAiZxxEXAFJEp4upgrcBjFsEv4sRrLL29rTQoAqTfFCV6vGIOZLmXdJlzNeOGZbJNjEE2XJ5kltRO5YR1erFwBus1hOFp0Y9NcR3L28FUDDBFqiufbwvGiuIEHRfTMTw9mMDhPsn6AbkZRzi7zXv5neF~wRLr8y9Bwwpvy8wNDDX53WKdR5JxxAeRozx~ZrRcd5kpeYmfPexFMyP9N~ZDchWMM~1x-WTfyapa27NX7hCYu66jp0N3HgtLc3kRsdtWvwDUerh8K4bZpZyCu5PWSwmcqDFWG4J787yHtUcJb~sE4hbCDLcNco47GsHvZP9L9OxNilJ8dnPQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Several students and a parent urged the Sewanhaka Central High School District Board of Education on Jan. 28 to recognize Eid as an independent district holiday rather than treating it as a superintendent's conference day.

Safia Dhar, a ninth‑grade student at New Hyde Park Memorial High School, told the board the superintendent's conference‑day accommodation allowed students to observe morning prayers and family gatherings but asked that Eid be made a formal district holiday so staff could also take the day. \"We would like to request the board to consider making Eid an official school holiday on its own and not as a day off during superintendent's conference day,\" Dhar said.

Nut graf: Speakers said the district's growing Muslim population and Muslim staff warrant parity in calendar recognition; district leaders said they understand the request and must reconcile it with New York State instructional‑day and contractual requirements.

Miriam Dar, a tenth grader at New Hyde Park Memorial High School, told the board that superintendent conference‑day status prevents many Muslim teachers and staff from taking the day off to celebrate with their families. A parent, Masooma Zakir, reinforced the students' request and asked to partner with the district on making the change.

Superintendent Mr. Grama responded that the district hears the request and will continue to examine calendar implications tied to state requirements and contractual obligations. \"I see you and I hear you,\" Grama said, adding that the district will \"go back and... try and recalculate it all just as predicated on meeting the New York State required days of students in the buildings and adults in the buildings.\" He said the district will continue the conversation with the community.

Ending: The board did not vote on the request; the next regular board meeting was announced for Feb. 25 at New Hyde Park Memorial High School.","Speakers at public comment asked the board to designate Eid as an independent school holiday (not part of a superintendent conference day), citing growing Muslim student and staff population; board said it will continue to examine calendar constraints tied to New York State required days of instruction.",{"_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},6687762,"Retired Nassau County fire marshal warns Sewanhaka board about classroom door \"chocks,\" urges consideration of magnetic hold‑open devices",454,1250000,1704000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2173446-e0d8bfba96c54748c5a1606d925497bb&start=1250&end=1704","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2173446-e0d8bfba96c54748c5a1606d925497bb/thumbnail_1250000.jpg","/articles/6687762/New-York/Retired-Nassau-County-fire-marshal-warns-Sewanhaka-board-about-classroom-door-chocks-urges-consideration-of-magnetic-holdopen-devices","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6687762-945c859e4a14644d345c7d3da7bd3ed2/orig.mp4?Expires=1771213338&Signature=LmSrdlwWC1k7C8AGWVKVPbvV20PKGzPvkzUjSFXNxOF2s-ijvqFQLK7mN0EqQs6d6mlx58slhNROyrYFB5kSIqsqjcRxPnt~frIxtWT-22IMnltf3Gt6m4ZQr-C~2KBNFHnRY0NUzPXMQU3uK3wxiMOByPzk43Wn4Y1pjDqvNMOnPtkmjMvDkBty5xOX9jjwLB6In~k2nUEqisOF7iSm9g-fk5OoENjIGOD3ZPvppopXUvXf1oQ-x08eUwpI10jcVO5MryDgYVEqBNNuk7NXV2KXbwPdQNg~Wn72L1XC9fnBYXkolW1b39AaOHuD63bvvOZQl4KoMfVsPinX37UGMg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Tim Green, a retired Nassau County fire marshal who inspects Sewanhaka Central High School District buildings, told the Board of Education on Jan. 28 that the practice of wedging classroom doors open with wooden chocks — used widely during COVID‑era ventilation guidance — is a continuing fire and lockdown safety concern and should be addressed.

Green said the State Education Department allowed districts to prop doors open during the COVID period for ventilation, but that leniency has ended. \"If that door is chocked open, now that smoke condition is in the hallway,\" Green said, describing the evacuation and smoke‑spread risk. He added that magnetic hold‑open devices that release on fire alarm or panic alarm are a safer alternative but would be a significant expense for the district.

Nut graf: Green recommended the district consider phased upgrades to door hold‑open devices tied to alarm systems, while acknowledging budgetary constraints and the need to coordinate with facilities and local authorities.

Green said he inspects the district regularly and that most findings are minor, but he said he records chocks in inspection reports because they create safety and lockdown vulnerabilities. \"I have to write it up that there's chocks in the doors,\" he said. He noted some districts have installed magnetically controlled hold‑open hardware that integrates with fire alarms and panic systems; others keep doors closed because the hardware is costly.

A board member asked for clarification about what a \"chock\" is; Green explained it is typically a wooden wedge placed under the door so it cannot close. Board members and staff did not take any immediate action or vote; the board received the inspection briefing for information.

Ending: Green said he has inspected the district for more than 30 years and praised cooperation from principals and custodial staff; he recommended the board and administration factor safety, ventilation and cost when deciding whether to pursue magnetically controlled hold‑open devices.","A long‑time Nassau County fire marshal told the Sewanhaka board that wooden chocks used to hold classroom doors open (permissible during COVID for ventilation) are a safety concern and recommended exploring magnetic hold‑open devices tied to alarms; he noted cost implications and said he must report chocks in inspection findings.",{"_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},6687765,"Sewanhaka board hears cell‑phone committee findings; committee recommends further study and stakeholder outreach",641,1703000,2344000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2173446-e0d8bfba96c54748c5a1606d925497bb&start=1703&end=2344","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2173446-e0d8bfba96c54748c5a1606d925497bb/thumbnail_1703000.jpg","/articles/6687765/New-York/Sewanhaka-board-hears-cellphone-committee-findings-committee-recommends-further-study-and-stakeholder-outreach","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6687765-dbb37d77bfc8f523f2f3ec86a1b67885/orig.mp4?Expires=1771213338&Signature=KGjs8VFqp4igE63rOVOtFzURcDONrIlOKz3CPptx~OW5mEkQGzev5OSZ0Y1bk5asglEsTzbhvD4KKt88JNeUOtAaFJt~JRPOAqFzhuPMyglCCFetYI3aFKW84C9BHiDxjC9wBGJ3GnFttYItm7GptZgMlUFhnjI3iBz3zvbr~FE0c2l39ElMqoyvNEssyfjtLcvVWlOcuGJeJC3cDUnoM38SQEYTPVh0T7CFemoCSXjI~-uqaxrOW46PSidEobhcLjSND~DlbUuEjzpY7lku~8R19~zQGsBVMDCJMMKE05S58rVpD-0ES6pm5Lh6m5wP226zraRvoFBzF77USe4Yzw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Sewanhaka Central High School District Board of Education on Jan. 28 heard an update from a newly formed cell‑phone committee that recommended further study, student and parent engagement, and classroom education before proposing any formal policy change.

District psychologists who led the committee said research and teacher reports indicated cell phones are interfering with instruction and student social and emotional development.

Dr. Jason Teague, school psychologist and co‑chair of the committee, told the board that the group — made up of teachers, administrators and clinicians from all five district high schools — examined research on learning, mental health and social skills and spoke with teachers about classroom impacts. \"So I think, really, our consensus was that there are too many risks and too many harms at place,\" Teague said, summarizing the committee's judgment. He also cited polling and research the committee reviewed: \"90% of NEA members support a school policy prohibiting cell phones or personal devices throughout the day,\" he said, referring to the National Education Association findings the committee discussed.

Nut graf: The committee did not propose a formal ban at the Jan. 28 meeting. Instead it outlined a staged approach designed to incorporate student and parent feedback and district education efforts before returning with recommendations.

The committee's immediate next steps are: gather student input at the superintendent's student leader workshop on Feb. 6; convene a parent forum (planned for March) to discuss research and hear concerns; and develop classroom lessons to educate students about phone use and social media effects. Dr. Carol Ores, district psychiatrist and co‑presenter, said the committee aims to report back to the board at the end of the school year with findings from student and parent engagement.

Presenters described several classroom concerns raised by teachers, including repeated disruptions, difficulty enforcing expectations, and incidents involving camera phones and bullying. \"Almost all the teachers said that it was interfering with their teaching time in the classroom,\" Teague said.

Board response was supportive but noncommittal. The board president thanked the presenters and said the board stands ready to assist the committee; no motion or vote on a districtwide cell‑phone policy was taken at the meeting.

Ending: The committee plans to continue meeting through the school year and return to the board with summarized findings and any recommended policy language after stakeholder outreach and additional analysis.","A district committee presented research linking student cell‑phone use to classroom disruption and mental‑health concerns and outlined next steps including student input Feb. 6, a parent forum and classroom education; no policy vote was taken.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Board approves routine consent items, policies advance to review; no contested votes reported

Students and parent urge Sewanhaka board to make Eid an official district holiday instead of superintendent conference day

Retired Nassau County fire marshal warns Sewanhaka board about classroom door "chocks," urges consideration of magnetic hold‑open devices

Sewanhaka board hears cell‑phone committee findings; committee recommends further study and stakeholder outreach