Bay Shore Board of Education Work/Public Session Meeting - January 27, 2025

The Bay Shore Board of Education held a work/public session meeting on January 27, 2025, focusing primarily on academic performance data, school calendar planning, budget considerations, and capital improvement projects. The board reviewed student assessment data, including projections from the I Ready diagnostic tool and state test comparisons, discussing challenges such as high opt-out rates and the timing of test results. They also discussed the draft school calendar for the 2026-2027 academic year, noting changes in start dates, recess periods, and snow day allocations. Budget discussions included property tax exemption income limitations, state aid formula changes, and tax cap considerations, with a recommendation to incrementally raise income limits for exemptions. Importantly, the board addressed an Energy Performance Contract (EPC) project, deciding to remove solar installations due to high costs and roof work requirements, instead prioritizing the replacement of six boilers across three school buildings to improve efficiency and reduce future expenses. Multiple motions were passed approving personnel changes, donations, and policy revisions. The meeting also included recognitions of student achievements and updates on school activities.