Board approves laptop purchase, personnel actions, field trip and a resolution distancing board from trustee remarks

Carmel, N.Y. — At its May 28 meeting, the Carmel Central School District Board of Education approved a series of routine and consequential items after returning from executive session.

Key outcomes:

- Laptops (6.03): The board approved a statement of work with the Lower Hudson Valley Regional Information Center to purchase Dell Latitude laptop computers. The agenda listed a total of $449,996 for the purchase; trustees noted the district receives roughly 50% aid for such purchases.

- Personnel (6.11): The board approved instructional and non-instructional personnel requests as recommended by the superintendent and recognized retirements, including a bus aide (name read aloud by the board) and Ed Lopresti. Board members thanked retirees for their service.

- Field trip (6.12): The board approved a field trip to the Westchester Science and Engineering Fair on June 10, as recommended by the interim superintendent.

- Resolution re: Trustee remarks (6.13): The board voted to adopt a resolution stating it does not subscribe to generalizations regarding employees based on age and reaffirming obligations under the Age Discrimination in Employment Act, the New York State Human Rights Law and the district’s collective bargaining agreement. The resolution specifically distanced the board from comments made by Trustee Wise at prior meetings. Roll-call voting was recorded; Trustee Wise abstained; the motion passed.

- Consent agenda and donations: The board approved the consent agenda and accepted two donations: a Magic Chef refrigerator from Cindy Granada (GFMS employee) and a $2,000 donation from the Carmel High School Parents Association for CHS Senior Day.

- Acceptance of budget vote results (6.1): After rescinding a prior tabling motion, the board accepted the results of the May 21, 2024 budget vote and board-member election as recommended by the interim superintendent.

What’s next: Several items were tabled to the June 4 meeting; adoption votes and policy readings noted for future meetings. Where roll-call votes were requested, the minutes record who voted yes/abstained; for several routine approvals the board recorded unanimous 'Aye' votes.