Hyde Park board names field for Robert H. Bragg, approves superintendent contract and multiple capital project actions

HYDE PARK, N.Y. — The HYDE PARK CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT Board of Education on Oct. 9 voted to name the district athletic field at the Oval Office for coach Robert H. Bragg, approved the new superintendent's contract and took a series of actions on capital projects and audits.

The board approved a resolution that “names the athletic field located in the Oval Office as the Robert H. Bragg Field” in recognition of Bragg’s service to athletes and students. The motion to adopt the naming resolution was moved by Christine Pemberton and seconded by Margaret Catani; the motion passed by voice vote. The board discussed creating a durable, expandable recognition—a plaque or wall of plaques—rather than a temporary banner, and directed formation of a committee of board members, facilities staff and community volunteers to develop placement, design and funding options.

The board also voted to accept the new superintendent’s contract. That motion was moved and seconded during the meeting and carried by voice vote.

On capital projects the board approved a series of change orders and adjustments connected to the district’s multi‑phase facility program. Motions approved included a deduct change order for a BioLab SNL item and two change orders labeled as part of phase 2 (items described in the meeting as $35,700,000 listings). Board members noted one deduct change order returned funds to the district and that change orders are being tracked.

The board accepted draft external audit reports for the 2024–25 school year and accepted an internal transportation audit with a corrective action plan. The board also approved an ACH transactions process report with corrective actions.

Votes at a glance - Resolution to name the athletic field: Motion moved by Christine Pemberton, seconded by Margaret Catani; outcome: approved (voice vote). Text in meeting: “be it resolved, the Board of Education of the HYDE PARK CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT hereby names the athletic field located in the Oval Office as the Robert H. Bragg Field…” (agenda item 11.8). - Superintendent contract: Motion moved and seconded (agenda item 11.1); outcome: approved (voice vote). - Capital project change orders (phase 2a/2b and BioLab SNL deduct): Motions moved and seconded (agenda items 11.2–11.4); outcome: approved (voice votes). One deduct change order was described in meeting comments as money returned to the district. - External audit (2024–25 draft reports): Motion moved by Carl (mover stated in meeting), seconded by Margaret; outcome: approved (voice vote) (agenda item 11.5). - Internal audit, transportation with corrective action plan (2024–25): Motion moved by Carl and seconded; outcome: approved (voice vote) (agenda item 11.6). - ACH transactions process report and corrective action plan: Motion moved and seconded; outcome: approved (voice vote) (agenda item 11.7).

Board members and staff said they expect follow‑up work by a facilities committee and by district staff to specify design, funding and installation steps for recognitions and capital improvements. Community members who had petitioned for the field name attended and asked that the board consider a short unveiling event as soon as a temporary sign can be installed; the board indicated that a temporary banner or similar would be considered while a permanent solution is developed.

The board used voice votes for these items; when individual tallies were not recorded in the minutes the meeting record shows motions carried by “Aye” or “Motion carried.”