Board Meeting Information

Board Meetings (as defined by Education law)

Board Business Meetings: These meetings typically occur twice a month. The public is welcome to observe the meetings and has an opportunity for comment at designated times in the agenda. These meetings consist of presentations, discussions and official action.

Board Work Sessions: These meetings are open to the public, but do not provide opportunity for public comment. These meetings are designed for more in depth Board conversations and no official action is taken.

Executive Sessions: This is time designated to address confidential business that must by law be private and falls under specific legal categories. 

Special Meetings:  These meetings are held when it is necessary for the Board to take action on a matter before the regularly scheduled meeting is held. Special meetings are open to the public.

Board Retreats: These are meetings that are closed to the public and designed to allow for board relationship building, developing teamwork and improve on Board  communication. Public business is not allowed to be discussed nor can official action be taken.

Task Force/Ad Hoc/Advisory Committees: These committee meetings are created for a specific time period and have a defined purpose. They are advisory in nature to the Board and may consist of Board members, employees, students and community members.

Informal Community Budget Meetings: These meetings are held throughout the school year and allow for community members to engage in conversation with Board members and school officials.

Public Comment

The Board urges community members to use the normal chain of command to get answers to questions or to resolve concerns. However, the Board values input from the community and it specifically reserves times at Board Business Meetings for public comment on matters of general interest. Speakers are asked to give their names and will have three minutes to address the Board. The Board President is responsible for orderly meeting conduct and appropriateness of subject matter. No speaker may comment on or identify any particular student or employee by name or situation in his/her comments.

Resolving Questions or Concerns

Questions or concerns should follow the normal chain of command. That is, matters that pertain to a particular teacher would be discussed first with the teacher, then with the department head and principal, then with the appropriate Assistant Superintendent or the Superintendent of Schools. Appeals, requests, questions and comments may be made to the Board once all other efforts for resolution have been made, with the exception of matters that relate directly to the Board.

Correspondence may be sent via email to boe@brewsterschools.org. (Please note that the Board of Education email is also viewed by the Superintendent.)

Emails will be confirmed received and, upon request, followed by a more detailed response from the Board president and/or district personnel

The Board of Education also welcomes mailed written communication. Correspondence should be addressed to:

President, Board of Education
Brewster Central School District
40 Farm to Market Rd.
Brewster, New York 10509

Please note that the Open Meetings Law requires all Board deliberations which may lead to action or policy changes to occur in public; therefore, the content of written communications and e-mails will be reported at upcoming public Board Business Meetings.