The evening of 2022-10-11 was a meeting of the Honeoye Falls-Lima Board of Education (BoE).
An otherwise normal meeting had a dash of excitement towards the beginning with recognition of the Cougar Pride Award winners, followed by the Tennis Team‘s triumphant return. While I’m not a fan of excitement, these were both well received events.
Three Student Board Representatives were appointed. Rhyan, Braedon, and Brianna (At least I think that’s what the name tags said). Always good to hear from the students at these meetings. So while this almost feels like too many, that’s better then too few.
When the time for Public Comments came, Amy (Board President) opted not to read the descriptive blurb, as no one was signed up. While I think sign up here is stupid, and insulting to community members who have to work during the day (which I suspect is most of them), it is the ‘rule‘. And as such, cutting out the verbiage reading when there are no comments is only logical. So I thank Amy for doing that tonight.
October 13 (Thursday) will be a test of the Early Release/Emergency Notification system. Which is prudent, best to test before it’s needed. Just be aware it’s a test, and not a ‘real’ event. Which would make it ironic if something actually happened.
October 14 (Friday) at 6AM there will be a Pep Rally at the High School Stadium. Open to all students, and I hear adults as well (if they can fit it into their schedules). Weather may be interesting, but that re-illustrates that there is ‘no bad weather, only bad clothing‘.
There was a review of recent test scores. Long story short, apparently they were better then pre-panic. Which I hear is rare. In any case, the focus was on comparisons to other districts in the county. I heard it said that state/nation comparisons are at a different time. Good that is also done, as while it’s great to compare with neighbors, there is a whole world out there.
‘Act For Education‘ was highlighted, especially their Webcasts. Considering history I tend to be a bit skeptical of groups trying to influence education. But at the same time, help is often needed to improve things. Learn what you can, where you can, but chart your own course. If it happens to be similar to others? Then at least you won’t be alone on your journey. Just don’t let others coerce you into doing what you think is wrong. And yes, that includes me as a potential ‘other’.
The previously discussed tax exemptions came up again. Little discussion tonight, apart from a short review of a Draft Position Paper the BoE has produced. Overall, I think it’s good. I would have liked a little more ‘equal under the law’, and a little less ‘commercial taxpayers’. But I think it adequately explains the Board’s stance, which is the important part here.
As an aside, the meeting was in the Cafeteria. Which had me thinking, that with the amount of staff at the average meeting, there isn’t much room for the public in the BOE meeting room. Not that they can’t move to the Cafeteria (as has been demonstrated), or that the public shows up in large numbers (they tend not to). But I found it interesting, as I can remember when sitting alone in the audience was… common enough, if not quiet normal.
And those are my Observations From Audience Land for the October 11, 2022 meeting of the Honeoye Falls-Lima Board of Education.
Agenda’s and similar information can be found at HFL’s BoardDocs page. While a recording will likely be available soon.