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Superintendent defends discipline process, board approves clerical contract and moves to executive session
Summary
Superintendent Mr. Smith read a statement clarifying that expulsions are not permitted under New York law, highlighted SEAL efforts addressing student mental health, and the board approved a four-year BCA clerical contract effective July 1 before entering executive session on negotiations and personnel.
Superintendent Mr. Smith used part of the June 19 meeting to address recent community questions about student discipline and to outline the district's legal constraints and supports.
Reading a prepared statement, Mr. Smith urged families to remain engaged and said schools impose consequences in accordance with state law. "A common misconception is to just expel students, but expulsions are not allowed in New York State," he said, and noted that long-term suspension and other disciplinary actions must comply with law and privacy rules. He also highlighted shortages of alternative placements and called out the district's social-emotional learning (SEAL) curriculum as a research-based support amid a youth mental-health crisis.
Board members responded with calls for increased parental and community involvement. A board member who identified himself with pastoral ties urged stronger links among home, school, community and faith-based organizations. Other board members praised SEAL and teachers and asked the community for more positive support of the district.
On the evening's formal business, the board approved a four-year Batavia Clerical Association (BCA) contract that was negotiated with district leadership; the contract was reported to take effect July 1. The superintendent publicly thanked union leadership and described the negotiations as concluding amicably.
The board then moved into an executive session "to collective negotiations pursuant to article 14 of the civil service law and to the medical financial credit or employment history of a particular person" and did not return to public session, according to the meeting record.
Actions recorded in the public meeting included the BCA contract approval and a vote on consent agenda items (consent items G–O). The transcript does not include a formal roll-call vote tally for those motions in the public record.
