Board approves consensus agenda and key resolutions including bus camera opt‑in and takeover agreement for gym project

The Mineola Union Free School District Board of Education approved its consensus agenda and several notable resolutions at its July 1 business meeting, including a takeover agreement to complete a delayed middle school gym project, an opt‑in to a bus camera program, and modest changes to meal pricing.

Resolutions passed or approved as part of the consent/regular agenda included:

• Meal prices (Resolution 5): The board approved a $0.25 increase to the price of an additional student meal for the 2026–27 school year; students remain eligible for one free breakfast and one free lunch under the district's participation in the federal Community Eligibility Provision (CEP). Administration explained the CEP designation requires at least 25% directly certified students and that the district's current CEP term places it in year 4 of the program for 2026–27.

• NASA BOCES instrument lease (Resolution 6): The board approved a five‑year lease‑purchase agreement for instruments so the district will own the instruments at the end of the term; administrators said this reduces reliance on rentals and spreads cost over five years.

• HVAC bid award (Resolution 7): The board awarded HVAC repair and installation work to L and J Heating and Air Conditioning through a cooperative consortium with other Nassau County districts. Administration explained cooperative bidding requires named participating districts and noted the award is a time‑and‑materials contract to access vendors at competitive prices.

• Walk‑on takeover agreement (Resolution 9): The board approved a takeover agreement with Everest Reinsurance Company, authorizing Beacon (the takeover contractor) to assume and complete the work on the Mineola Middle School gym addition and interior renovations previously awarded to Burrow Construction Group LLC. Administration said the takeover is at no additional cost to the district, that the new gym portion is projected to be ready by September 2026, and that remaining interior work could finish as early as March 2027 but no later than June 1, 2027.

• Bus Patrol camera opt‑in (consensus agenda item 4b6): The board voted to opt in to a program that outfits district buses with exterior stop‑arm cameras and interior cameras at no cost. Trustees asked about where interior footage is stored and privacy compliance; administration said video is stored by Bus Patrol and must comply with New York State EDLA‑2D requirements; the district will provide details on storage and access procedures to the board.

Administrators noted that the Bus Patrol program does not generate ticket revenue for the district and that cameras are intended to provide evidence of incidents on buses and to document motorists illegally passing stop arms. The board took the votes by voice and recorded 'aye' for passage on the consent agenda and the walk‑on resolution.