Clarkstown School Board To Hold Special, Closed Session Sunday

NEW CITY, NY — The Board of Education of the Clarkstown Central School District has announced plans to hold a special meeting Sunday via Zoom.

Tuesday is the board's self-imposed deadline for picking a new superintendent after four months of searching for a replacement for Martin Cox, ousted in September. SEE: Cox Out As Superintendent Of Clarkstown Schools

The trustees hired consultants McPherson & Jacobson, L.L.C. in December and set May 5 as the deadline for announcing a new superintendent. Closing date for applications was March 4; the board interviewed semifinalists the week of April 18; finalist interviews started Monday.

Friday, the board announced it would convene then go into executive session on Sunday at 7 p.m. The public session at the beginning will be livestreamed.

Executive sessions, not open to the public, are allowed under New York's open meetings law for eight reasons:

• matters which would imperil the public safety if disclosed;
• any matter which may disclose the identity of a law enforcement agent or informer;
• information relating to current or future investigation or prosecution of a criminal offense which would imperil effective law enforcement if disclosed;
• discussions regarding proposed, pending or current litigation;
• collective negotiations pursuant to article fourteen of the civil service law;
• the medical, financial, credit or employment history of a particular person or corporation, or matters leading to the appointment, employment, promotion, demotion, discipline, suspension, dismissal or removal of a particular person or corporation;
• the preparation, grading or administration of examinations; and
• the proposed acquisition, sale or lease of real property or the proposed acquisition of securities, or sale or exchange of securities held by the public body, but only when publicity would substantially affect the value of the real property or securities.

Thursday is also the school board's hearing for the proposed 2022-23 budget. SEE: Proposed $230.7M Clarkstown School Budget On The Ballot May 17.

Due to the coronavirus pandemic, meetings of the Board of Education are held at Clarkstown High School South Auditorium. Public sessions will also be available for viewing (live) on the CCSD website at ccsd.edu/boestream.