The evening of 2025-08-26 was a meeting of the Honeoye Falls-Lima Board of Education (BoE).
I miss a meeting and they shuffle the seating around, mixing staff with Board members. I had thought the recording backgrounds looked a bit different.
Gene’s Superintendent report focused on getting ready for the start of the school year. In particular on the ongoing construction projects. He highlighted one point I’ll pass on: The windows in the high school aren’t done yet, they are done enough classes can use the rooms. Which makes sense to me. Get it to the point kids can use the space, then polish it up later on. In other words, make it work first. Then make it pretty.
Kristin (Instruction) gave a presentation on Student-Centered Learning. Which gave me flashbacks to Latin class. Her description matches my recollection of something that was implemented then. I’m pretty sure it was then rolled out to a larger portion of the school the next year. But that was long enough ago I can’t be sure. Either way, it has me wondering what changed since then. In other words, will this get phased out for the same reason it’s predecessor was decades go? Is this a version of ‘those who do not remember the past are doomed to repeat it‘?
Paying for buses was approved. Voters approved the expense at the last election. But due to the technicalities, the voters approve taking out debt (if necessary). Well tonight the Board approved paying with Fund Balance. In other words, cash in hand, not debt. Which is as it should be.
Continuing investigation to the feasibility of leasing land to Verizon was voted down.
Two comments stood out to me. Carol’s about it being too far outside the districts education focus, and Caralyn’s about it creating a distraction for the administrative staff. Combined I think that provides more then enough justification to not pursue further. That multiple members of the community appear to have expressed concern just adds additional weight to stopping here.
A committee is being charged to develop an Ex Officio Student Board Member Program. Which was a surprise to me, as I was sure there already was a program. But as it was explained, this was in response to a state requirement. While the Board feels they already meet the requirement, they felt this provided a good opportunity to review. Which seemed prudent. Periodic review can lead to improvements.
And there was a true gem of an event
In her own words, Caralyn (Board President) made a gaffe. Which I don’t really care about. We all make mistakes, and the particular one was barely worth noting. At least in context, even if it is good to remember the Superintendent is the bridge between the Board and the staff. It’s what she did after making the mistake that impressed me: she admitted it.
She admitted to making a mistake, in a public setting. In front of both her peers, subordinates, and the public at large. Which is how it should be done.
As said above, we all make mistakes. To deny that is to lie. To ignore is to miss the opportunity for improvement. Which is why I was thrilled here. The head of the Board has established (or reaffirmed) the precedent for learning from mistakes, over covering them up or denying them. Which I think is great practice in general, but double so for an educational institute (if only to be a good example to the students). As wiser then I have said ‘mistakes are mandatory, learning is optional’. I am glad Caralyn choose the option of learning.
I was tempted to give a standing ovation when she finished talking. But… that would have been disruptive to the meeting.
And those are my Observations From Audience Land for the August 26, 2025 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 is also available.