Mineola board OKs financing for nine vehicles, five‑year BOCES IT contract; adds middle‑school soccer team, approves settlement and tenure correction

MINEOLA, N.Y. — The Mineola Union Free School District Board of Education on June 11 approved financing for nine district vehicles, authorized a five‑year contract with Nassau BOCES for regional information‑technology services, added an extra middle‑school boys soccer team for the 2025–26 season and approved a settlement with a district employee, while also correcting a clerical error on a tenure appointment.

The measures were adopted by voice vote during the regularly scheduled board meeting at the district offices. Board members also approved a consent agenda that included tenure recommendations after amending one entry to list the correct certification area.

Why it matters: The vehicle financing and the BOCES agreement affect district operations and multi‑year costs. The new soccer team addresses high student interest in athletics. The settlement was approved under a confidentiality provision the board said prohibits public discussion. The BOCES contract requires final approval by the state education commissioner before becoming effective.

The board voted to authorize the assistant superintendent for business and operations to sign lease documents for the district fleet acquisition from M&T Bank. The resolution authorizes financing for nine vehicles for a total purchase price not to exceed $1,000,000; the board record notes that the finalized lease documents are expected to be delivered to the district in mid‑July 2025.

The board also approved a five‑year agreement with Nassau BOCES for regional information‑technology services, not to exceed $306,248.12 inclusive of estimated borrowing fees, for the contract period from July 1, 2025, through June 30, 2030. Will Herman, the district’s assistant superintendent for business and operations, described the purchase as part of the district’s recurring equipment purchase program and said the current package includes “interactive whiteboards, computers for the fab lab, projectors, Chromebooks, battery backups, and a really cool active wall that we’re gonna install in Jackson’s multipurpose room.” (Will Herman, Assistant Superintendent for Business and Operations.) The BOCES contract is subject to approval by the state commissioner of education before execution.

On extracurriculars, the board voted to add an additional middle‑school boys soccer team for 2025–26 after the district reported high participation this spring. "We had a lot of interest in soccer. I think we cut over 30 kids," the district record shows; the team will combine seventh‑ and eighth‑grade players for the full athletic season.

The board approved a settlement agreement dated June 5, 2025, between the district and an employee identified in the resolution only as "an employee known to the board of education." The board made the authorization to execute the agreement on its face; trustees said the substance of the settlement could not be discussed at the public meeting. The motion authorized the board president and the superintendent of schools to execute the necessary documents.

Before approving the consent agenda, trustees moved and passed a clerical amendment to a tenure listing: Victoria Berkowitz’s tenure area was changed from "tech ed" to "computer science." The corrected consensus agenda item, which included tenure recommendations and other routine personnel and business items, was then approved by the board.

What’s next: The BOCES contract takes effect only after the commissioner’s approval; the district said finalized leasing documents for the vehicle purchases will arrive in mid‑July. The settlement documents will be executed by the board president and superintendent as authorized.

Votes at a glance

- Resolution 83 — Authorize financing of nine vehicles through M&T Bank, purchase price not to exceed $1,000,000; authorizes assistant superintendent for business and operations to sign lease documents. Outcome: approved (voice vote). Motion: Cheryl Apusona; second: Patrick Talty.

- Resolution 84 — Authorize five‑year contract with Nassau BOCES for regional IT services, not to exceed $306,248.12 (07/01/2025–06/30/2030), subject to commissioner of education approval. Outcome: approved (voice vote). Motion: (record lists mover "Ryan"), second: Stacy DeSilas. Presenter: Will Herman (Assistant Superintendent for Business and Operations).

- Resolution 85 — Approve an additional middle‑school boys soccer team for the 2025–26 season (grades 7–8 combined). Outcome: approved (voice vote). Motion: Cheryl Apusona; second: a board member identified as Brian.

- Resolution 86 — Approve terms and conditions of settlement agreement dated 06/05/2025 between Mineola Union Free School District and an employee known to the board; authorize board president and superintendent to execute. Outcome: approved (voice vote). Motion: Patrick Talty; second: Stacy DeSilas. Discussion: board noted the matter is confidential and not subject to public discussion.

- Consensus agenda (items J1a through J4a4) — Approved after a clerical amendment correcting Victoria Berkowitz’s tenure area to computer science. Outcome: approved (voice vote).

Board comments and procedure

Board President Margaret Ballantyne presided over the meeting. When the settlement resolution was introduced the board noted the matter could not be discussed publicly: "This is not something we can discuss," the record shows. Will Herman provided the equipment and program details for the BOCES purchase.

Clarifying details (from meeting record)

- Vehicles to be financed: 9 - Maximum financed purchase price: $1,000,000 - Nassau BOCES contract not to exceed: $306,248.12 (inclusive of estimated borrowing fees) - BOCES contract term: 07/01/2025–06/30/2030 (subject to commissioner approval) - Additional middle‑school boys soccer team: grades 7–8 combined for the 2025–26 season - Settlement agreement date: 06/05/2025 (employee name not disclosed in public record) - Lease documents for vehicle financing expected: mid‑July 2025

Community relevance

These decisions affect district operational capacity (fleet), classroom and building technology (BOCES equipment), extracurricular offerings for middle‑school athletes, and district personnel records (tenure corrections and the confidential settlement). The BOCES contract requires external approval by the state education commissioner before it is final.

Ending

Board members closed the meeting after approving the items and welcoming newly tenured staff during a separate recognition portion of the evening. The district will post contract and financing documents after they are finalized and the state commissioner issues any required approvals.