The evening of 2025-09-30 was a meeting of the Honeoye Falls-Lima Board of Education (BoE).
This years Student Board Representatives were sworn in and welcomed to the table. One was back again from last year, the other two were new. Among other things, they spoke on how well the cell phone policy is going. They seem to like that they are now having to learn to interact with classmates, instead of screens. And what are schools for if not learning useful skills.
There was an Academic Data Summary presentation. I’ll preface this with pointing out certain information was embargoed (for now). So if you, like me, wonder why there are gaps in names and such, that is the reason. Besides that, it looks like HFL is doing well from a state assessment point of view. Although, with what Gene (Superintendent) said before hand, it raises questions about if the assessments have any real value.
In any case, the reports of success did have me wondering if students know how to recover after failure. How to pick themselves up and move on. Not adapt and continue towards the goal, which is a part of accomplishing anything. But when there is a complete failure of a goal, and you can’t work around it. What do you do then? Since so many are doing so well, which is great, does that mean they aren’t learning how to recover from failure. Because failure is mandatory (eventually, at some point). Having said that, I’ve got no great ideas on how to teach, or even measure, this skill.
Budget calendar was approved. I’ll highlight that the rotation between buildings is NOT part of this years budget calendar. That is being done early (next meeting is at Lima). Reason given was to improve the budget process. Which makes sense to me. While I like the rotation and seeing the buildings, it does add additional factors that can distract from the budget itself. And at the end of the day, the important part is anyone that might want to be at the meetings has been notified on the times and locations. And from what I can tell, that has been done, so all good there.
There was a report back from an audit. While this is outside my expertise, it sounds like HFL is doing well. The two issues found seemed rather minor. Which is how I would want it. Issues found, because we aren’t perfect so there will always be something. But they are minor, because the District is responsible with tax payers money.
Monthly construction report included a field trip through the high school. Looks like the project is going well and has recovered from earlier scheduling setbacks. That the field trip went through the auditorium makes this a good time to point at the pictures taken to preserve the student made artwork that graced the walls and such back stage. Links can be found under the Art Booster section of the District’s website (or just click here). While I was only interested in the auditorium artwork, the ceiling tiles were a nice bonus.
And those are my Observations From Audience Land for the September 30, 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.