Cortland Board of Education Discusses Key Initiatives and Challenges at October Meeting
The Cortland Board of Education convened for its regular business meeting on October 29, 2024, at the Kaufman Center, located at 1 Valley View Dr. The meeting, which began at 6:00 p.m., featured presentations by Superintendent of Schools Bob Edwards with notes from Jaime Francey-Henry about the NYSUT Disconnected Conference, a district data report from Director of Curriculum and Instruction Katie Swanson, the external audit report, and a Budget Presentation by Business Administrator Kristopher Williamson.
Mr. Edwards' presentation highlighted upcoming topics that are being discussed regionally and state-wide. One of the primary topics on the agenda was the growing concern over cellular phone use in schools. Mrs. Francey-Henry shared from her experience at the NYSUT summer conference. The conversation highlighted the increasing national attention surrounding this issue and outlined potential next steps for the district. In addition to the discussion on cell phone policies, Mr. Edwards announced the establishment of the Cortland County Behavioral Threat Assessment Team, aimed at enhancing student safety and well-being. He also revealed plans to transition from using Messenger to Parent Square, a new platform designed to improve district-wide communication with parents and guardians. The meeting also addressed the ongoing challenges posed by recent phishing cyber-attacks on the Cortland schools' servers, an issue that has raised concerns about data security and the integrity of school communications. Further enriching the meeting, Board of Education President Brett Barnes and Superintendent Edwards shared insights from a recent New York State School Boards Association conference (NYSSBA) conference they attended, where a variety of educational topics were explored. In an effort to provide more opportunities for students, updates from Tompkins Cortland Community College (TC3) were presented, including Early College High School. Additionally, there are exciting programs set to launch in the upcoming months. Notable initiatives include participation in Lego League and Vex Robotics, as well as preparations for the winter sports season. The Cortland Board of Education continues to prioritize the safety, communication, and educational enrichment of its students, as demonstrated by the discussions and initiatives highlighted during this meeting. The district remains committed to adapting to the evolving educational landscape and ensuring the best possible environment for all learners. For more information on the Cortland Board of Education and upcoming meetings, please visit the district’s official website.
Mr. Edwards' presentation highlighted upcoming topics that are being discussed regionally and state-wide. One of the primary topics on the agenda was the growing concern over cellular phone use in schools. Mrs. Francey-Henry shared from her experience at the NYSUT summer conference. The conversation highlighted the increasing national attention surrounding this issue and outlined potential next steps for the district. In addition to the discussion on cell phone policies, Mr. Edwards announced the establishment of the Cortland County Behavioral Threat Assessment Team, aimed at enhancing student safety and well-being. He also revealed plans to transition from using Messenger to Parent Square, a new platform designed to improve district-wide communication with parents and guardians. The meeting also addressed the ongoing challenges posed by recent phishing cyber-attacks on the Cortland schools' servers, an issue that has raised concerns about data security and the integrity of school communications. Further enriching the meeting, Board of Education President Brett Barnes and Superintendent Edwards shared insights from a recent New York State School Boards Association conference (NYSSBA) conference they attended, where a variety of educational topics were explored. In an effort to provide more opportunities for students, updates from Tompkins Cortland Community College (TC3) were presented, including Early College High School. Additionally, there are exciting programs set to launch in the upcoming months. Notable initiatives include participation in Lego League and Vex Robotics, as well as preparations for the winter sports season. The Cortland Board of Education continues to prioritize the safety, communication, and educational enrichment of its students, as demonstrated by the discussions and initiatives highlighted during this meeting. The district remains committed to adapting to the evolving educational landscape and ensuring the best possible environment for all learners. For more information on the Cortland Board of Education and upcoming meetings, please visit the district’s official website.
The Board of Education recognized our most recent Tiger Paw Recipient, Jordan Lilley, for his contribution to the District.
You can view the agenda and the voting results in BoardDocs or watch the meeting by using this link.
