Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Board Actions Roundup topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Middletown board approves personnel actions, eight construction change orders, safety plan and new administrator
Summary
The Middletown City School District Board on July 31 approved multiple personnel memos, eight construction change orders, adopted the districtwide safety plan for 2025–26, amended its meeting schedule and appointed Nora O'Connell as administrator of district resources and operations; all recorded votes were unanimous.
MIDDLETOWN, N.Y. — The Middletown City School District Board of Education on Thursday approved multiple routine personnel actions, eight construction change orders and the districtwide safety plan for the 2025–26 school year, and confirmed a central-administration appointment.
The board moved through a long consent slate after the meeting was called to order. Motions to approve the agenda, minutes from July meetings, administrative and instructional personnel memoranda, noninstructional personnel items and financial items all passed with recorded tallies of 6–0.
The board approved eight change orders for district construction projects after a presentation by Mister Bartlett. He said the work includes installation of additional high-performance butterfly valves to enhance geothermal-system flow control at the Twin Towers project, added fire dampers where ductwork penetrates fire-rated walls, FRP door framing to match new window finishes, concrete infill for recessed flooring in a mechanical room, electrical raceways for clocks, speakers and card readers, a credit to close out an electrical contract at Presidential Park, and two plumbing reroutes of domestic water supply lines. "So we have 8 different change orders tonight," Bartlett said during his review.
The board also approved the appointment of an administrator of district resources and operations; Nora O'Connell, the district employee identified at the meeting, addressed the board and said the role was a "full circle moment" for her. "I am honored, really truly honored ... I know that whatever passion ... I'll dedicate to make sure Middletown will always be the flagship of education in this country," O'Connell said.
Vice President Romero noted the districtwide safety plan runs more than 200 pages and that the summary pages help highlight updates. "Thank you for all the work that's been put in there," Romero said before the board adopted the plan for 2025–26 by unanimous vote.
Why it matters: The change orders affect ongoing facilities work; the safety plan sets procedures and protocols for the coming school year; and the administrator appointment places a staff member in a central role overseeing district resources and operations.
Votes at a glance - Agenda approval: Moved by Mister Perino; seconded by Pastor Rhett; outcome: approved, reported 6–0. - Minutes (July 1, July 10, July 17): Moved by Dr. Patricia De Jesus; seconded by Mister Perino; outcome: approved, 6–0. - Personnel memoranda (administrative, instructional, noninstructional): Various movers and seconders; outcomes: approved, 6–0. - Financial memorandum 4d (items 1–8): Approved, 6–0. - Special services memorandum 3e (items 1–2): Approved after brief remarks on IEPs by Mister Perino; outcome: 6–0. - Change orders (8 items across mechanical, electrical, plumbing and finishes): Approved; mover Mister Rhett; second Mister Perino; outcome: 6–0. - Appointment — Administrator of district resources and operations (Nora O'Connell): Approved; mover Mister Perino; second Mister Redd; outcome: 6–0. - Districtwide safety plan 2025–26: Moved by Vice President Romero; seconded by Mister Freddie Williams; outcome: adopted, 6–0. - Amendment to 2025–26 meeting schedule (move Oct. 20 meeting to Oct. 21): Approved, 6–0.
The meeting closed after additional community updates and a recognition ceremony. The board set its next regular meeting for Aug. 14.
