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Beacon City School District board meeting, Oct 5, 2026

2 h 00 min · 1 public speaker

Reading and test scores ▶ 23:09

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What happened

What happened at this meeting

Beacon board to review senior tax exemption after school tax concerns at public comment 7:01

  • A speaker at public comment said a school tax bill rose 300% from the prior year and asked the district to rethink how the tax and the senior exemption are calculated. 7:01
  • The superintendent said the board's Finance Committee would begin looking at changing the senior tax exemption on October 26th and that the board would discuss it at its November 2nd and November 16th meetings. 13:59
  • The district's auditor reported an unmodified, or clean, opinion for the year ended June 30th, '26. 18:52
  • The board voted 8⁠-⁠0 to adjourn to executive session to discuss a collective bargaining agreement and review the employment history of a particular individual. 1:59:27

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Item by item (15)
  1. Opening and roll call 5:41
    • The meeting opened with the pledge, a review of fire exits and a roll call. 5:41
  2. Public comment on school taxes 6:22
    • A speaker at public comment said a school tax bill was 300% higher than last year and asked the district to rethink the tax calculation and the senior exemption. 7:31
    • The superintendent said the Finance Committee would start discussing a possible higher senior tax exemption on October 26th and that any change would require a public hearing, probably not until January. 13:59
    • The superintendent said the board would also look at a new Disabled Veterans Tax Exemption on the same timeline. 16:46
  3. Annual audit overview 18:33
    • A partner with the auditing firm said the firm would issue an unmodified, or clean, opinion and found no issues in internal controls or compliance. 18:52
    • The auditor said the district received some $2.6 million of federally sourced dollars and that the child nutrition cluster was audited. 20:53
    • A student asked for a simple explanation of an audit, and the auditor described reviewing the district's recorded revenues and expenditures. 21:36
  4. Introduction of student board members 23:20
    • A district staff member introduced the student board members, including one returning member and new members chosen from a group of applicants. 23:32
  5. Elementary school presentation 24:27
    • The principal of J.V. Forrestal Elementary School presented on the use of data in academic growth, culture of care and community engagement. 24:27
    • The principal said the school held 263 instructional support team meetings by May of last year and that all staff now use the Remind app for family communication. 27:55
    • A student asked about winter caroling with the new choir teacher, and the principal said the school would send the teacher a list of past partnership activities. 41:16
  6. Business office and human resources goals 42:49
    • The executive director of human resources and operations said the district hired 28 probationary teachers and 10 probationary teaching assistants, with 15 internal applicants among the 28. 43:33
    • A district staff member said the company handling employee flexible spending closed in August, the district booked a reserve, and a new company would be on board in January. 53:10
    • Christopher Lewine asked for a list of 4 or 5 factors affecting revenue and cost with best- and worst-case scenarios as part of the long-range budget plan. 1:03:59
  7. Student representative comments 1:09:11
    • Student representatives raised the need for a dedicated college counselor to help with applications. 1:12:04
    • Students also suggested a club or group on the college process and noted that a related class is no longer offered. 1:14:16
  8. Agenda changes 1:16:04
    • The chair said item 11.12 was removed and an MOA under 14.08 was replaced because of a date change. 1:16:04
    • One board member said 13.02 could be approved with the caveat that the dates be updated. 1:16:32
  9. Superintendent's report 1:16:51
    • The superintendent said the board had authorized use of fund balance for '25-'26 overages centered on extra staffing, and that a college counselor has been on the wish list but needs funding. 1:17:15
    • The superintendent said tennis courts are being repaired, turf fields remain on track for spring, and bids for entryway and air conditioning projects came in with more firms bidding. 1:21:06
    • The superintendent said a facilities meeting would be held at 5:30 October 19th and that Technology Advisory Committee meetings would not be open to the public but would be summarized in updates. 1:27:03
  10. Board member comments 1:30:27
    • Semra Ercin said the next Finance and Audit Committee meeting would be October 26th at 6:00 PM and would cover the senior and disabled veterans exemptions. 1:31:05
    • One board member said a parent volunteer group helping with college essays might be a more affordable option and noted a policy meeting on Wednesday at 7 PM. 1:32:05
    • One board member suggested partnerships with Marist, Vassar and Dutchess Community College for financial aid programming. 1:38:11
  11. Communications committee scheduling 1:40:59
    • The chair said the committee had not met this year and asked for volunteers to plan a board newsletter to the community. 1:42:31
    • A committee meeting was set for November 2nd at 6:00. 1:44:49
  12. Board goals and priorities 1:45:02
    • The chair presented a document of overarching board goals and priorities, including two board newsletters, two annual retreats and learning about digital and non-digital education. 1:45:02
    • Dr. Jermaine Wright said the wording of the digital learning priority was changed to align with the others as an action item. 1:47:22
    • Board members agreed a budget-related goal should be added, possibly at the policy meeting. ~1:50:09
  13. Consent agenda 1:52:39
    • Board members pulled items 11.05E12, 12A, 13.02 and 14.04 for separate consideration. 1:53:35
    • The chair announced the consent agenda passed, and item 11.05E12 passed with one abstention. 1:54:00
  14. Separately considered consent items 1:54:22
    • Catherine Buscemi asked whether new hires start before fingerprinting, and a staff member said they do not. 1:54:46
    • Catherine Buscemi asked about August finances, and a staff member said revenue was less by $24,000 because of a state aid deduction and cited overtime for grounds work. 1:57:32
    • Items 13.02 and 14.04 each passed 8⁠-⁠0. 1:57:19
  15. Executive session 1:59:27
    • The board moved to adjourn to executive session to discuss a collective bargaining agreement with BAOP and the employment history of a particular individual, with no plan to return. 1:59:27
    • The motion passed 8⁠-⁠0. 1:59:52

Written by software from the meeting's transcript and checked sentence by sentence against it.

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Video: posted by the district as “Beacon City School District Board of Education Meeting 10/5/26”