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PTA council urges independent Meet‑the‑Candidates format; board approves consent agenda with one abstention
Summary
During public comments the PTA council objected to a district‑run Meet the Candidates format and asked for independent moderation and security plans for students; the board approved the consent agenda, with one board member recorded as abstaining.
Several members of the public raised issues during the allotted public comment period.
Margaret Donnelly said the school food services vendor, SchoolDish, has not consistently listed ingredient and allergy information on the lunch menu this school year and asked the district to restore clear ingredient listings on the menu or website so families managing food allergies can make informed choices.
Kyla Murphy, president of the Eastchester PTA Council, read a statement objecting to the district's announced change to the date and format of the district's traditional Meet the Candidates event. Murphy said the PTA council was not consulted and expressed concerns that having district personnel collect and collate questions would create a "perception of a lack of independence or a bias toward certain candidates." The PTA council said it will still encourage attendance and question submission but urged the district to "look to ways to reduce conflicts of interest and bias whether real or perceived," and asked the district to provide an adequate security plan if the event remains in‑person and student moderators are involved.
Superintendent Valente and board members responded that the event will be administered by the district clerk, Lori Perata, and that debate‑club students will moderate under the clerk's oversight; the board said the district clerk is responsible for election procedures.
Other public commenters included Harmit (address recorded) urging continued emphasis on STEM momentum in district programs, and a parent, Abby Ruane, who raised concerns about a personnel policy (policy 09/1950 as referenced) that she said could be read to overly limit teachers' ability to provide nonacademic support to students; district staff replied that the policy is intended to require use of district‑approved platforms for student communications, not to prevent teachers from supporting students.
On the consent agenda the board approved a slate of routine items (personnel, special education recommendations, pupil personnel recommendations, business office recommendations, curriculum and instruction items, board policies and other business). Board member Jackie moved the consent agenda and Board member Sean seconded. A board member identified in the meeting as Lori registered an abstention when the board called for abstentions; no roll‑call yes/no totals were provided in the record.
