[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-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",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_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",6102883,"mediaKeyId","2802876-2bfbc5a4771b78c8fb78126152e2d3ac","parentId",2802876,"title","Votes at a glance: Connetquot board approves minutes, personnel, consent items and moves to executive session","audioSeconds",8403,"startMs",663000,"endMs",9066000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2802876-2bfbc5a4771b78c8fb78126152e2d3ac&start=663&end=9066","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2802876-2bfbc5a4771b78c8fb78126152e2d3ac/thumbnail_663000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6102883/New-York/Votes-at-a-glance-Connetquot-board-approves-minutes-personnel-consent-items-and-moves-to-executive-session","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6102883-0c1a78a89b03578e3aa9c4a833f0fac8/orig.mp4?Expires=1770448353&Signature=GmOiF7jZKbNFWH4Dn39M1kVqoKsiLCoipObgr4HDj~abdU15Gp~HVs3kAO6xfYdMsHI~hMDOlUb1v7LraVl8ltu08bHXbJeVBuL8qzrnLzfYpi0P1c1Kw5khJSbVZviUpwopiCtu1UEtXztqMfbMKhxMlZsJXbIJrhV7C38Sa8qu2qweh8yO7VAKljjDIOSecMQ0RE3kXw3ne~aTLilFgbYT1spDt-BTE4bwtWRwUmIIvuBLv9NCXnj77ZAUXPYBCxzo~gDvCktiZ64KGrLVi4rwlOajxh2u0-kKiT86joaWoz3OaOLDWafEG4fKvSUpOROMyLsjtM4JK79IuDsprw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","","date","2025-03-28T01:03:08.233Z","article","The Connetquot Central School District Board of Education recorded several routine approvals and one procedural action at its March 25 meeting.

Lede: The board voted by voice to accept the minutes of its March 17 meeting, approve instructional and non‑instructional personnel items, approve items 2 through 4 of the consent agenda and to enter executive session to seek legal advice from counsel.

Nut graf: These procedural votes were routine approvals of board business and the move into executive session was a procedural step to bring counsel before the board; the transcript shows unanimous voice approval on each motion but does not include a member‑by‑member roll‑call tally.

Votes at a glance (as recorded in the meeting):

- Motion to reconvene the public meeting (motion, second). Outcome: approved by voice vote (\"Aye\") at 00:11:03.

- Motion to accept the minutes of the 03/17/2025 meeting (motion, second). Outcome: approved by voice vote (\"Aye\"); chair announced \"Motion carries.\" (time recorded during meeting).

- Motion and second to approve instructional and non‑instructional personnel items as presented. Outcome: approved by voice vote (\"Aye\").

- Motion and second to approve items 2 through 4 of the consent agenda. Outcome: approved by voice vote (\"Aye\").

- Motion and second for the Board of Education to move into executive session \"in accordance with open meetings law to seek legal advice from counsel.\" Outcome: approved by voice vote (\"Aye\"); board moved into executive session and did not return to the public meeting.

Ending: The transcript does not provide individual vote tallies or named movers/seconders for each motion; the record shows each motion was approved by general voice vote. Administration confirmed that the executive session was called to receive legal advice.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Board of Education - Public Session - 3/25/2025","oneSentenceSummary","The board voted by voice to accept March 17 minutes, approve personnel and consent items and to enter executive session for legal advice.","taxTitle","CONNETQUOT CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT, School Districts, New York","taxId",67169,"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},6102889,"Board pauses after split over nondiscrimination wording; counsel to advise on Title IX risk",1451,6906000,8357000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2802876-2bfbc5a4771b78c8fb78126152e2d3ac&start=6906&end=8357","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2802876-2bfbc5a4771b78c8fb78126152e2d3ac/thumbnail_6906000.jpg","/articles/6102889/New-York/Board-pauses-after-split-over-nondiscrimination-wording-counsel-to-advise-on-Title-IX-risk","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6102889-6a309eb5942e49278ff71271f93188cd/orig.mp4?Expires=1770448353&Signature=lmYwRROKD-DrwK3Q-ASE68x2AN5Uit9pAMT9p8X~1oD7m8qTapUxLghVo9-O6f5U8H9aC1e-kxVML0SRWN~7ahc4gK4e2exyLvsq7KiHgJ2zy~JjTd1KRCI7LwDKwYQ3HjiYCp3lhkhs8OVzE2v~clVqg7LEGQLQ9v4tVPau7ZuWC2tDjg-s5yfdvsusTVTgWSsuLsUQS9~Vj6Y9-AKfXitckpC8wkpS6qRtpF8O~TmqRQQ35IYyIuB3kEbSbdko06ZQbF3jKK6WLtfqYFbTC3OpeKr3aPqme0fgWa3zcgsY7DeBf~7MODen74bGgb5Ibs3~HAN~gcxfcHgtaZ~c1A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Trustees at the March 25 meeting engaged in a heated discussion about recently adopted language in the district’s Equal Opportunity and Non‑Discrimination policy that explicitly named transgender and gender‑expansive students.

Several trustees and community members told the board they fear the extra sentence — inserted after the policy’s paragraph covering protected classes — could create a conflict with a recent federal executive action and place federal funding at risk. Other trustees said the explicit language was intended to make the district’s commitment clear to families and to ensure that specific groups are acknowledged.

Nut graf: The issue has policy and legal implications because it sits at the intersection of federal guidance (Title IX and recent executive orders) and state law (including the recent state constitutional amendment sometimes referenced as Proposition 1). The board paused the policy discussion and called for formal legal advice from district counsel before taking further action.

District counsel, Mr. Pisano, said many districts either left the New York State School Boards Association (NYSBA/NISBA) recommended language unchanged or removed optional clarifying sentences; he said the sentence is optional and not legally required. \"As far as what you mean as far as expanding the policy... the paragraph immediately preceding it did cover all types of students and it did have a very lengthy list of students. So to me... the second sentence is superfluous,\" Mr. Pisano said in the meeting.

Board members asked counsel to provide written guidance on whether the district’s added wording is likely to create a legal risk under current federal actions and whether the safer administrative course is to revert to the NYSBA‑recommended text or to use a simple \"all students\" formulation. The board postponed further changes until it receives counsel’s analysis.

Ending: The board scheduled a policy committee review and said it will revisit the nondiscrimination policy after receiving legal advice and a recommended redraft or confirmation from counsel.","Trustees debated wording added to the district’s nondiscrimination policy March 25 that explicitly names transgender and gender‑expansive students; legal counsel was asked to advise before further action.",{"_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},6102904,"Connetquot budget holds programs while seeking extra state aid; UPK expansion proposed",853,761000,1614000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2802876-2bfbc5a4771b78c8fb78126152e2d3ac&start=761&end=1614","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2802876-2bfbc5a4771b78c8fb78126152e2d3ac/thumbnail_761000.jpg","/articles/6102904/New-York/Connetquot-budget-holds-programs-while-seeking-extra-state-aid-UPK-expansion-proposed","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6102904-bd42168d21fe03fade27a556af38e61a/orig.mp4?Expires=1770448353&Signature=ChANiCB3RTLzK3fSrljzWGIhgz9-gWZ26MQwiPiHZh-Kes9mvWMr~57XjVxfERzG7n6ZZWnEgWdkqeDjxuUyN58I6ClRqowtzeL~LKIKEJPaIwgqtjtomYokHJQMn~cAD4bvW3NJVt1RJVIN81~FyCosJm4C1bSsJy5n75w1hLKx2uZ5S4eqSg~ljn2a2gp7Qkn9MgeW4CAfEHXM0QfBaA7k-N4zVWSKB1SRL6q4cCzes~Vy11BAzCTqMkZxdRHPd0q3QI1sc-V7dHFslYP4c-zzAKb1CDmqgy4fYHTnSxOQKNFwdsiutPH-ElgbAGWgyCmMBkIJVGrg6m37JO6U1g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Connetquot Central School District officials presented a draft 2025–26 budget March 25 showing a proposed 2.79% increase in spending, a tax levy at the district’s tax-cap limit of 1.34% and a roughly $354,000 gap that officials said they hope to close with additional state aid.

The budget presentation, delivered by Mr. Hauser, outlined staffing assumptions and program priorities and said the draft maintains all academic, athletic and extracurricular programs. The board was told the district expects to adopt a final proposed budget about a month from the meeting and face a public budget vote on May 20, 2025.

District staff emphasized that the budget shortfall is sensitive to the state aid figure that the legislature is expected to release after the governor’s proposal is finalized. \"We're sitting at a 2.79 increase for the budget year to year,\" Mr. Hauser said during the presentation, and he added that a 1% uplift in foundation aid would substantially reduce the gap.

Nut graf: The gap matters because the district said it is already at the local tax-cap and wants to preserve class sizes and programs. Staff presented staffing and enrollment changes that reduce some costs through retirements, but health insurance, pension costs, transportation and a principal payment on recent capital borrowing create upward pressure on expenditures.

In the UPK program, staff described a proposal to expand the district’s program from 11 sections serving 190 students to a twelfth section serving 208 total students (sections of 18). Dr. Sinemore said class size is a top priority and that the district also carries one integrated co‑taught UPK section embedded in an elementary building as part of its 4410 program.

District staff explained how state UPK aid is restricted. \"The UPK grant allows the district to expend $5,400 per section,\" Ms. Poppe said. She said the district must cover costs that exceed that per‑section cap. According to the figures cited at the meeting, the district currently carries about $122,600 of recurring general‑fund responsibility for UPK after COVID federal funds expired. Adding the twelfth section would add roughly $7,000 in recurring costs and about $15,000–$15,300 total the first year when furniture and curriculum materials are included.

Board members and staff noted demand: the district reported 281 total UPK applicants in the rolling lottery this year. Staff said physical classroom space limits expansion and that any decision to add additional sections beyond the twelfth would depend on either greater flexibility from the state in how UPK aid can be used or additional foundation aid from the state that the district does not yet have in hand.

Staff also singled out four cost areas running above the budget increase: health insurance and benefits (more than 8% increase), rising pension costs in the Employee and Teachers’ Retirement Systems, higher transportation costs when routes must be contracted out, and a principal payment on bond borrowing tied to capital projects.

Ending: District leaders said they will update the board after the legislature publishes its final state aid figures and will bring revised numbers as the district finalizes its proposed budget in advance of the May 20 vote.","Connetquot Central School District officials presented a draft 2025–26 budget March 25 showing a 2.79% spending increase, a tax levy at the 1.34% tax‑cap limit and a roughly $354,000 shortfall staff hope to close with additional state aid.",{"_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},6102893,"High‑school library closures and printing limits draw complaints; district cites staffing gap",3660,5235000,8895000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2802876-2bfbc5a4771b78c8fb78126152e2d3ac&start=5235&end=8895","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2802876-2bfbc5a4771b78c8fb78126152e2d3ac/thumbnail_5235000.jpg","/articles/6102893/New-York/Highschool-library-closures-and-printing-limits-draw-complaints-district-cites-staffing-gap","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6102893-41dd7ab1adaaabdfd28fd1115f78278b/orig.mp4?Expires=1770448353&Signature=gDXVHFU9b0tuutcAeArXNp6GLAWmq4HtQpz9myF~nyH4dkEjRIjrACToEfOYAdn2s1-k4~Jyn0vRbZDm67nOor~UEj8xzSioH1rvE2MUcc5YBD5RyvwLEkpXQmopIlyRqOO2KLJJcknruPe-HAZwGcREg7bj2Mj5b7zevGFytsr-Q2y686HSzEmfgg14Tjqtnm3S93e1m2iZdSx35kWroCJWaN4CoABxXlFQ9BqPeK9hPWmlpPBHnmTEtiLXu5~Js2D0~UliAlS3Qmnrt11I6Jg-mZY9TdE-qK922DUqerLn1GHvk099BdKwhYEwa~A3xu6612BM1yhutOKM5SikQg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Parents, students and trustees described recurring closures of the Connetquot High School library and confusion about printing and study‑hall access during the March 25 board meeting, prompting staff to pledge follow‑up and immediate staffing action.

Multiple speakers told the board that the high‑school library has been closed at times during the day and after school and that students seeking to print scholarship or class materials have faced limited access. One parent said students were forced to print at the public library and pay for copies. A student told the board she had attempted to print scholarship documents and encountered delays and caps.

Nut graf: The issue matters because students use the school library for printing, studying and tutoring; the board questioned how a facility paid for with bond funds is being staffed and scheduled.

Superintendent Dr. Sinemore and board members explained the immediate cause as staffing: the library aide went on a leave to complete student teaching and the position had to be posted under contractual rules. The superintendent said the district has hired a replacement who will be presented for board approval at the next meeting and will cover the 2:05–2:50 p.m. time slot noted as a recurring gap.

Board members and parents also described inconsistent rules for students in study hall seeking access. A clarification provided at the meeting said student printing is available to middle‑ and high‑school students; the high school has a 20‑copy per day limit and middle schools have a 10‑copy per day limit, with librarians able to authorize additional copies at their discretion.

The board asked administration to gather usage statistics — including badge swipes and logs — and report back on how often the library is fully closed and how many student prints occur each day. \"If there's a concern and a student has a need, they can certainly take that concern or need to an administrator, to a teacher, to our library media specialist,\" Dr. Sinemore said.

Ending: District staff said they will supply the board with staffing and usage data for the library, confirm the pending hire for the aide position and propose clearer guidance for study‑hall passes and printing.","Parents, students and board members at the March 25 meeting raised concerns about repeated closures of the high‑school library, confusion over study‑hall passes and limitations on student printing; district officials said a vacant aide position has been posted and a hire will appear on the next board agenda.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":56,"_74":56},6102898,"Board members press for special‑education administrative help as caseloads rise",806,3605000,4411000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2802876-2bfbc5a4771b78c8fb78126152e2d3ac&start=3605&end=4411","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2802876-2bfbc5a4771b78c8fb78126152e2d3ac/thumbnail_3605000.jpg","/articles/6102898/New-York/Board-members-press-for-specialeducation-administrative-help-as-caseloads-rise","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6102898-9e5d0a3a8e3f44edcad4928056497312/orig.mp4?Expires=1770448353&Signature=IiFmAhjluYgH11DT93V4qJg9rFI~JMh7dhEiqIaKCoOpovNaU7~tl14uUtn8iJ-DZZeSiYYFK6-9PiTFzbztu9Na2DI9xP6lkDwqz1j2rt2ffPuJSDOdsfBW8kKK6oU3dfdq-tjzMkIpTAaUcjPzQT6kjgLS2~qer89fzkTGOgEY-Md88CPtLIaQt9FEdEmTYZpkrL9zCzIsPbQBt~DmCTl1lGQ2vnNd3DMjCdkoNBh8ezMkGxdnvbv~9b20B7mBBT7r1zAeZqKBJKqdwodBZ7V-6brdojuoy6vG9s7-fh60lLk8B4tHTEIVeHmkb6bENACV6AEcnOXaudgcLiuzkw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Board members at the March 25 Connetquot Central School District meeting pressed for additional administrative support for the special‑education department after hearing staff and trustees describe a rising volume of students receiving services.

Board member Ms. Palitano Furnell outlined numbers presented to the board: 981 special‑education students in district programs, 99 in out‑of‑district programs, 431 students with Section 504 accommodations and 157 preschool students receiving special‑education services, for a total figure cited at the meeting of 1,668 students (figures presented by board staff during discussion). She urged restoring a prior assistant‑director role or creating an executive‑director position to reduce workload on the single current director.

Nut graf: The debate matters because board members said administrative capacity affects the district’s ability to manage Individualized Education Program (IEP) processes, section 504 accommodations, committee on special education (CSE) meetings and compliance. Supporters of adding a position said the director is shouldering responsibilities of multiple prior positions; budget‑minded trustees said any new post must be sustainable over multiple years.

Board members described the department as carrying a large caseload while operating with fewer administrators than in prior years; the meeting record shows the assistant‑director role was abolished through the budget process after the previous holder left. \"I think we are really at a crossroads here... we only have the one director,\" Ms. Palitano Furnell said, and she pushed for the board to consider creating an assistant director or executive director post.

Others on the dais urged a data‑driven review prior to creating permanent positions. Superintendent Dr. Sinemore said the district must consider multi‑year sustainability and avoid adding a position one year that cannot be funded the next if state aid fluctuates. Board members also debated placement questions: some argued the district should avoid sending students out of district because those placements often cost more and disrupt families, while others said placement decisions are made by the legally constituted Committee on Special Education (CSE) and reflect individualized determinations.

Ending: The board directed staff to compile historical enrollment and staffing data and to return with options, emphasizing both the need to support special‑education staff and the budgeting constraints that affect multi‑year positions.","At the March 25 meeting the board reviewed special‑education counts and debated restoring an assistant director or executive director post, citing growing caseloads and administrative workload; staff and trustees said the district must weigh multi‑year funding sustainability before adding permanent positions.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Votes at a glance: Connetquot board approves minutes, personnel, consent items and moves to executive session

Board pauses after split over nondiscrimination wording; counsel to advise on Title IX risk

Connetquot budget holds programs while seeking extra state aid; UPK expansion proposed

High‑school library closures and printing limits draw complaints; district cites staffing gap

Board members press for special‑education administrative help as caseloads rise