The issue of the artificial turf fields took center stage as Superintendent Dr. Thomas A. Gorman acknowledged the fields’ significant damage and the district’s concern over the potential health risks associated with the chemicals in the turf. The board is evaluating alternative turf options that offer better drainage and less harmful content. This comes after community members, including Jacqueline Hone and Christa Millian, voiced their concerns, citing a letter from Mount Sinai Public Health that discourages installing such fields due to health hazards. Superintendent Gorman also addressed the recurrent flooding of the high school playground, emphasizing the importance of considering long-term solutions and the district’s intention to include water filtration systems in the 2024-2025 budget.

The board’s lawyer, Matt Jacobi, conducted a training session on ethics for the board members, underscoring their roles in overseeing the district, creating policies, and managing the budget. The training encompassed conflict of interest definitions, the importance of recusal, confidentiality obligations, First Amendment rights, and proper use of social media and communication channels. Dr. Gorman stressed the importance of ethical conduct, providing examples of sanctions from the School Ethics Commission for non-compliance, including suspensions and removals from the board.

The board tackled the logistics of obtaining advisory opinions from the School Ethics Commission, with a focus on the practicality of recusal during closed sessions and the confidentiality of matters discussed therein. The conversation also covered the use of personal emails for board business and involvement in staff interview processes, advocating for superintendent-approved communication and minimal board intervention in day-to-day operations.

Public input on the financial matters was another focal point, with the board proposing to make the presentation of financial information available online two days before meetings. Adjustments to meeting start times and days were discussed to enhance public participation and board member availability. The board approved annual appointments and authorized the board secretary to approve small accounts and payments between meetings.

A concern was the environmental and financial impact of potentially relocating or improving fields due to flooding. The board considered fundraising for a feasibility study and emphasized the importance of environmental responsibility in field repairs. The Facilities Committee was tasked with evaluating different materials for the repairs.