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Port Jervis board holds public hearing on code of conduct updates, approves donations and routine business
Summary
At a June 16 meeting the board opened a public hearing on proposed 2026-27 code of conduct revisions, heard that attorney and building teams reviewed updates, received no public questions, and then approved donations, personnel appointments, contracts and policy readings including a $4,000 band-instruments gift and a $6,000 anonymous donation.
The Port Jervis City School District board opened a public hearing on proposed updates to the districtcode of conduct for the 2026-27 school year and moved through several routine business items, approving donations, personnel actions, vendor agreements and policy readings.
Dr. Wolkowitz, the assistant superintendent for instruction, told the board that package materials included a redline and a final revised version of the code of conduct and an outline of specific changes by page. The updates followed a cover-to-cover attorney review and building-team input. "Clarification language and reordering to align with penal law as suggested by the attorney" were among the listed edits, and the draft also removes brand names and other outdated language, Dr. Wolkowitz said. After asking for public questions, the board heard none and the hearing was closed.
Superintendent Dr. John Bell announced several donations on the agenda: an anonymous $6,000 gift (with $1,000 earmarked for the Hall of Fame and $5,000 to district general funds), a $4,000 donation from Music for Humanity to purchase band instruments (covering Port Jervis and Ellenville), and a family donation of a commemorative bench for East Main Elementary in honor of William and Barbara Brett.
The board approved the consent agenda (minutes, Committee on Special Education/Preschool recommendations, the donations and financial reports) by voice vote. Later motions carried to approve personnel items (retirements, resignations and new hires), and action items that included: Port Jervis Middle Schooleighth-grade trip to Washington, D.C. (March 18-20, 2027); an Omni service agreement (third-party 403(b) administrator); establishing and funding ERS and TRS retirement contribution reserve fund accounts; adjusting the employee benefit liability reserve to match calculated compensated absences; and a 2026 summer school food service contract with the Port Jervis Recreation Department. Each motion was called, seconded and declared carried by the board president.
Policy work was also advanced. The board approved first readings of policies 6460, 6470, 7242 and 7313 and deletion of policy 8120; it approved first-and-final readings for policies 7660, 7710, 7720, 8110 and 8130. Discussion referenced Erie BOCES recommendations and NYSED guidance, including removing place-of-birth and email address from student directory information in response to NYSED guidance.
A brief implementation update on a nearby solar project was noted in board-member comments: Renovus has staked the Vec and Eddy property in Deer Park and was completing financial closing, with surveyors on site and early payments submitted; the company aims to meet a July 4 deadline and possibly finish construction by Christmas if weather permits. The meeting concluded with event reminders and adjournment at about 8:11 p.m.
