[{"_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",5973203,"mediaKeyId","5854938-a05b9231abe53a64ba218d85d3a48cb3","parentId",5854938,"title","Board approves multiple personnel actions and contract amendments, including superintendent agreement amendment","audioSeconds",208,"startMs",3801000,"endMs",4009000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5854938-a05b9231abe53a64ba218d85d3a48cb3&start=3801&end=4009","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5854938-a05b9231abe53a64ba218d85d3a48cb3/thumbnail_3801000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/5973203/New-York/Board-approves-multiple-personnel-actions-and-contract-amendments-including-superintendent-agreement-amendment","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/5973203-e9f3765d2d7a253b14f9549ef70736b2/orig.mp4?Expires=1771181702&Signature=YplyH6lBv~APAjZVdEHtIPolTZ5m5PDPPsId-5afhdwZO~pTbmaZ4USxpEpnH-BQ5iG2n6AUavCT3NOixc3sU1VtuQrJhGrbGJ~7iNbJHp8x4t072j8jyCuzTw8wVXH5r12ymeKMwjS2~n71lWFn2OPql-2jvBFIeygEJioSzGFdI56HMSBb7MX75ENC6gZhZN0PEGTrUVI-EJROPqMeABYaj3wG4pDi4AteZHQDT19pMSZp9W1WFeZKmm1p9my5PIpj2PxE41Q~OXyOX0P0eFyGgNHjh4gy3DZCcby8mngo53XxZ9Toi3AxOTJeQ5K6NjROKInmv0~k7FpvdDY10g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Brentwood Union Free School District","date","2025-09-26T13:05:23Z","article","During its Sept. 25 meeting, the Brentwood Board of Education approved a package of personnel actions that included amendments to employment agreements for district administrators, appointments to administrative posts, and a last‑chance agreement with a represented staff member. Board motions and seconds were read into the record for each item and the board approved the items by voice vote.

The board approved on motion an amendment to the superintendent’s employment agreement dated June 20, 2024, authorizing the board president to execute the amendment with Wanda Ortiz Rivera. The board also approved amendments dated Sept. 23, 2021 for Anne Palmer (assistant superintendent for elementary education) and for Rhonda Young (assistant superintendent for special services), and an amendment dated June 20, 2024 for Matthew Gengler (assistant superintendent for secondary education). An amendment to the salary and benefits agreement dated Oct. 17, 2024 for Vincent Leone (director of programs and policy) was also approved.

On personnel appointments, the board appointed Cindy Bettencourt as assistant principal (elementary) for a four‑year probationary period effective Oct. 1, 2025, and approved an administrative table of organization change to create an assistant coordinator of counseling and guidance (a four‑year probationary period effective Oct. 1, 2025 through Sept. 30, 2029). The board also authorized a salary and benefits agreement with Stacy Berde for assistant superintendent for elementary education effective Nov. 3, 2025; that agreement was to be executed by the board president.

A last‑chance agreement dated Sept. 10, 2025 between the district and a staff member represented by Local 237, International Brotherhood of Teamsters, was approved; the board described the item as a personnel settlement and approved it on motion.

Board members made the motions and recorded seconds for each item on the consent agenda; explicit roll‑call tallies were not read into the transcript excerpt, but the chair announced motions as \"so moved\" after voice votes. Several board members congratulated newly appointed staff during the meeting.

The district also provided enrollment figures in the meeting packet: student enrollment totals were presented as 17,211 as of Sept. 5, 2025, with breakdowns for elementary, middle, freshman campus and high school, and special services totals included in the packet.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Board of Education Meeting September 25, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The Board approved a slate of personnel items and amendments to employment agreements covering the superintendent and several assistant superintendents, along with appointments to assistant principals and administrative positions and a last‑chance agreement with a staff member represented by the Teamsters.","taxTitle","BRENTWOOD UNION FREE SCHOOL DISTRICT, School Districts, New York","taxId",13434,"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},5973208,"Brentwood swears in first ex‑officio student board member; student reports early impressions of phone ban",270,3095000,3365000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5854938-a05b9231abe53a64ba218d85d3a48cb3&start=3095&end=3365","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5854938-a05b9231abe53a64ba218d85d3a48cb3/thumbnail_3095000.jpg","/articles/5973208/New-York/Brentwood-swears-in-first-exofficio-student-board-member-student-reports-early-impressions-of-phone-ban","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/5973208-45a43b12b30badb152f7f79b949a18dd/orig.mp4?Expires=1771181702&Signature=Llj4XCmZZv3Wcnqu8tfQKaapLWekbkiHFPyzAIcQOYDRrUYcbzeKD0EtqPuPf1zplZ1fw6t9Xt4sRnq6BwSNLsQ39MJBwvLODp40b7ClttHvK6hdeKXBOtdouMTHKFL3qf2BmmMCG64ySQrpAcWDZrQuEc1jnrcZOXDBt5JPfxoL4wr-DilozCC3nwk5YSGnti1RHz7E7A7FwCafc47EzA7KLPXcbI46MIjMy67Y3GC2Ira8U6U6pwZZxkvdGDR60Q1kVxWKyQbuc1t7aS~Nkg6CKeNKVPmtZdDj72qUZc5qR8VP8V6-1cyeumXf1iplMvLh4mJdCKBnrSJ0INYQ7Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","At the Sept. 25 Brentwood Board of Education meeting, Jaelene Guarelli was sworn in as the district’s ex‑officio student board member and delivered a report on the opening days of the school year that focused on student experiences with a new bell‑to‑bell cellphone ban and dress‑code concerns.

During the oath, Guarelli recited a standard pledge to uphold the U.S. Constitution and the New York State Constitution and to \"faithfully discharge the duties of ex officio student board member of the Brentwood Union Free School District, board of education, according to the best of my ability.\" She then described the first days of school as \"energetic and welcoming\" and said teachers and staff worked to help students transition back into routine.

On the new cellphone ban, Guarelli reported mixed reactions among students: \"Some students are adjusting quickly, recognizing that it helps them focus more in class and engage with lessons. Others feel the adjustment is difficult, especially during downtime like lunch or study hall.\" She added that students had been interviewed for a short video capturing both positives and challenges of the policy, and the board was shown or told that material would be provided later.

Guarelli said students noted improvements in hallway behavior and peer interaction since the ban, and some students reported better focus and reduced procrastination. On the dress code, she said students want fair and consistent enforcement: \"Student understands the importance of maintaining a respectful and professional school environment, but many hope that the rules are applied fairly and consistently.\"

Board members thanked Guarelli for the report. The presentation by the student representative was informational; no policy changes were made during the meeting.","Jaelene Guarelli was sworn in as the district's ex‑officio student board member and presented students' perspectives on the start of school, including mixed reactions to a new bell‑to‑bell cellphone ban and dress‑code enforcement.",{"_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},5973213,"Brentwood board adopts five strategic goals for 2025–26 school year",176,3439000,3615000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5854938-a05b9231abe53a64ba218d85d3a48cb3&start=3439&end=3615","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5854938-a05b9231abe53a64ba218d85d3a48cb3/thumbnail_3439000.jpg","/articles/5973213/New-York/Brentwood-board-adopts-five-strategic-goals-for-202526-school-year","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/5973213-152ce0b3e432c0cbb3c4fe410c04b397/orig.mp4?Expires=1771181702&Signature=KKCZINRdyXRrqjYEr~9JSpBzbho-ukB-ayTP~FdOEcMUKszrTs2rHtSQXmqHeSX-xEgNT3~CjZqLZfH4uqpcpscdRnRqm0Sf7zctMRYJByrpI5EtnvLQPdIv4oTUeqKLQHyyhnuy0PgyPPrZG0TZoDDpd58nV9BorodHBlIiV3P4nWOp~R30BivY2eiQ-LcXDq1UzwZjmFF5mu-ds~GNSYKxsREEkILAj-XR5olhw956aCIG8IOcw19W931LJPkQpfhKNvE8AVrvfrVZCqzM8okMM7swUiWmhB4vYmB4jd4NsEnRaEROR5I8O0~dJ5ZUUvFukgj9pBaN5OzwG7evwQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Brentwood Union Free School District Board of Education on Sept. 25 adopted five district goals for the 2025–26 school year after a formal resolution and roll call on consent agenda item B2a. The goals address student achievement and equity; whole‑child development; family and community partnerships; staff excellence and development; and operational effectiveness and innovation.

The resolution, titled \"Board of Education goals for the 2025–2026 school year,\" was read into the record by the board president and states the board \"hereby accepts and adopts the goals for the 2025–2026 school year as presented during the 09/25/2025 board meeting.\"

Cindy Saffari moved the motion to adopt the goals; Julia Burgos seconded. The board chair called for a voice vote and the motion carried with all members present voting in favor; no recorded opposing votes or abstentions were stated on the record.

The five adopted goals are: 1) student achievement and equity — provide rigorous and engaging opportunities to close achievement gaps and prepare students for college and career; 2) whole‑child development — foster safe, supportive and inclusive environments prioritizing social‑emotional learning and mental health; 3) family and community partnerships — build collaborative relationships to expand opportunities and strengthen trust; 4) staff excellence and development — recruit, retain and support a diverse workforce through professional growth and recognition; and 5) operational effectiveness and innovation — ensure fiscal responsibility, equitable resource allocation and integration of innovative practices and technology.

Board members offered general support for the goals during the meeting; no changes to the text were recorded on the official motion. The resolution was adopted as presented.","The Brentwood Board of Education voted to adopt five district goals for 2025–26 covering student achievement, whole‑child development, family partnerships, staff development and operational effectiveness.",{"_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},5973218,"Brentwood School District unveils renovated 9/11 memorial courtyard, contractor and designer detail construction choices",217,1453000,1670000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5854938-a05b9231abe53a64ba218d85d3a48cb3&start=1453&end=1670","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5854938-a05b9231abe53a64ba218d85d3a48cb3/thumbnail_1453000.jpg","/articles/5973218/New-York/Brentwood-School-District-unveils-renovated-911-memorial-courtyard-contractor-and-designer-detail-construction-choices","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/5973218-69ea9b6a37e1ab44d12971b743cf503c/orig.mp4?Expires=1771181702&Signature=nkmpJgNErt9OE3ZCyb~R4p4lnijzBgs~R9q7UCMm-lB0H8a7fCmYd5FaiHWjuMJ3DPxQgBaVElgxXI08Q5fOqdwQuHhv-BUkL8AiGXGCVIGzSwfyi30WpzRfCobQFyF0ELpwrew26Rof6TBdfZFW82hWA7toWRAgSFM43w14F0wSvoT-Dk-UNCYF2XfG4BFY5DnqXuxl7aiobUL9g9RrYHF7oWUh-qfwnISJ~C7Jgx7vWVfhA~S31TJvHbsDdyxu6O5TRXsaD9O2Ia6JZJLBAIrmP8099f1jklINfK5YvEBnWcOzZdNkAtV5e2goucCNwxQgNQu39o5zElLRM72a7Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Brentwood Union Free School District on Sept. 25 presented a renovated 9/11 memorial courtyard at a Board of Education meeting, with district maintenance staff and the contracted builder describing design choices, materials and construction work that district officials said were intended to create a lasting, low‑maintenance memorial for students and the community.

District maintenance supervisor James Conquest introduced Renew Contracting and its team, saying the district selected Renew Contracting to ‘‘transform that space’’ and that the company and designer had overseen the project from concept through construction.

The memorial’s site supervisor, Christopher Yeracki of Renew Contracting, told the board the company ‘‘put together a short film just to show you guys what went into it and what the design ideas were.’’ Michael Vandenberg, president of Renew Contracting, said, “whenever we’re asked to build a memorial, we take it very serious. We really want to make sure that we capture what the message is of each particular memorial.” Landscape designer Mark Daniel Papalardi described the memorial as a cohesive composition with three main elements: a row representing first responders, a central clock feature, and a progressive wave of Bluestone meant to symbolize the reverberating impact of Sept. 11. He said he oriented the clock’s axis so a viewer standing at the 6 o’clock position would be oriented toward the Twin Towers, and that laid‑out steel beams were propped upright to better honor them.

Speakers gave construction specifics the board was told were performed to increase durability and reduce long‑term upkeep: district and contractor remarks referenced moving about 300 cubic yards of soil out of the courtyard through an 8‑foot hallway, installing roughly a foot of gravel for drainage, and creating multiple surface drainage basins. The project uses synthetic turf and rubber mulch and places individual plantings in buried containers; the board was told the flagpole in the courtyard was donated by Branch Services.

Conquest, the district project lead, and Renew Contracting emphasized the memorial’s educational value. Papalardi said the courtyard would let students ‘‘touch a piece of steel from there and understand why that steel is set in that position,’’ calling the space ‘‘an amazing learning tool’’ that could prompt student questions about the memorial and the events it commemorates.

District staff said a QR code to be installed in the courtyard will link to a short film and meeting materials documenting the project; the district indicated the QR feature and film would be available in the weeks after the board meeting.

No formal board vote was recorded during the presentation; district staff presented the project as completed work and thanked contractors and community partners for their involvement.","District and Renew Contracting presented the renovated 9/11 memorial courtyard at a board meeting and described design intent, materials and site work; the district says a QR code and short film will document the project and meetings.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Board approves multiple personnel actions and contract amendments, including superintendent agreement amendment

Brentwood swears in first ex‑officio student board member; student reports early impressions of phone ban

Brentwood board adopts five strategic goals for 2025–26 school year

Brentwood School District unveils renovated 9/11 memorial courtyard, contractor and designer detail construction choices