>> Yes. But I could see, you know, because this is public information, >> you know, some public members person that they think they are >> and you would think, oh my god, this thing is too looked at. >> This is why we have this meeting to kind of put your minds at ease like we are still okay. Everything is still good. Um, since we were talking about the auditors, um, when they left here a few weeks back, they had us sitting at like five or six different bindings for the year. Um, none of them have to do with our finances. Um, one was a check was sent to the bank after 8 days versus within the seven days. So, there was that. It wasn't Jenna. I'm part of that process. So yes, it is part of part of um we had a student enrolled. They called in sick the first day so that their their dates on paper and their dates in the computer for enrollment didn't match.
>> And then when you see the numbers that are within there again on the the screen when you pull the presentation up, it's a little easier. The numbers will be indicative of what those percentages are to match the colors. >> Awesome. Thank you. >> You're welcome. >> Well, I appreciate that because I was trying to figure that out when I was reading it the other day. >> I was like, what are those lines? >> All right. So, moving into the other portion of the ACT. uh comparison, we have our reading and our English. Similar trends are evident in reading and English. Students are steadily improving across grade levels with gains that mirror what we're seeing earlier in middle school. This reinforces the importance of our district-wide literacy focus, not just in ELA classes, but across other content areas. So, we have spent a lot of time, I know Mr.
uh her recognition by the special education department speaks not only to her professional excellence but also to her leadership and willingness to support and mentor her colleagues. Mrs. Nicks, we are so lucky to have you in the Shark Tank and thank you. Congratulations. [applause] >> All right. Uh it's my pleasure to recognize our classified staff points of pride. Uh, Miss Meg Dunwitty. [applause and cheering] Uh, Miss Meg has quickly become a point of pride in our school community, joining our campus in the second quarter of this year. She's already made a remarkable impact, bringing positivity, professionalism, and a genuine love for students to her role. From her first day, she's been a ray of sunshine, personable, approachable, and committed to getting to know the students, families, and staff she served. Her dedication has extended far beyond the health office. She's volunteered her time and enthusiasm at numerous school and community events, including stepping into the role of Sammy the Shark for the Gilbert Day Parade, volunteering at our winter carnival, attending staff meetings and assemblies, um, and supporting our school action team.
So, it's a fractional enrollment uh variable that we're funded on. So, so again, if a student enrolls with us today, we're past the 100th day. We don't get any students that enroll after the 100th day. the decrease in the ASRS is that contribution from the district. So we're putting in 0.2% less or >> so the uh Arizona state retirement system they you know they judge the health of that um that uh the what their investment pool and determine what rate we need to to contribute as individuals and as the district match. So that rate is decreasing by a small margin. just under 12% by a 02% decrease. So the nothing it's nothing that impacts anyone's individual retirement. It's just that the contributions that each individual contributes and that we match is slightly decreasing. >> So individuals will see a small very small savings on an individual basis.
Uh if you guys remember when we were approved for the SVP COPS grant, uh we were able to upload I mean upgrade all of our cameras from analog to digital. So the district was proactive in syncing out additional grant funds to address those items and make sure that we have updated cameras throughout the district. Lighting is also included and the removal of any asbestous can also be considered life safety. So the district has the opportunity here you currently see our uh debt limit and the debt service chart. As you can see from the bar graph our bond and interest levy that is currently just under $12 million per year. And in levy year 2026 it decreases to roughly $11 million and then $10 million after that. So with the possibility of selling additional life safety bonds, the district is able to keep the bond and interest levy at its current amount.
You'll probably have to download it so you can turn it or you'll be like me a few months ago where you're trying to turn it on a screen and the iPad keeps turning. >> You can do it >> and can you do it on the program? >> So that's just the LSA report that and and there's obviously a lot of districts on that one, but that's just the page that uh our district falls under. And so you can see just historically um again that circuit breaker um again that's the the the part above the tax um tax caps um tra traditionally right around 20,000 but um that projection is right around 150,000 for um 2026. So just just a lot of factors that are coming in and and you know um it's certainly if if anybody's really passionate about it feel free to reach out to your state representative or state senator and uh ask them a couple things.
I think you've heard me say that multiple times. Um, I'm adding to that statement a little bit over this last couple of weeks. And my job is also not only to protect our students, but also, I'm sorry, say also protect our staff and make sure that they're feeling safe and secure. Right? We know people get their salaries. this public record, but it's not about just their salaries. It's about coming to work and feeling safe and feeling secure and and feeling confident in the jobs that they're doing. Um, I'm being made aware these last couple weeks of experiences um that are inappropriate and and being disrespectful having conversations and exchanges that are taking place in our district with staff, with teachers, with principles and administration. And that is just unacceptable to me. I use this expression all the time. you know, you're entitled, and they hear me say, you're entitled to opinion, not the facts, right?
>> Thank you. Can I get a motion to uh approve the minutes of December 31st? So move. >> May I get a second, please? >> Second. >> Any discussion? >> Cheryl, call. >> Mr. Mercedes. >> Yes. >> Mr. Tox, >> Miss Ferris, >> yes. >> Miss Distler, >> yes. >> Mr. Jones, >> yes. >> Mr. Mahia, >> yes. >> Mr. Ha. >> Yes. Consolidated cash. You all have the handout. We have the revolving fund packet. We have the budget report packet.
So, it was pretty funny. I'll take any questions out of the superintendent's office because you're going to hear from me a lot in a little bit. >> Any questions on anything superintendent said? I I do know there there is a lot going on. It's a lot of fun. I mean there's something to do other than equipment. Okay. Uh on to Mr. Bishop, assistant superintendent report, please. >> Super. And I want to thank our administrators who are here and online for all the work that they did along with their teams to be able to prepare for today's professional learning day. It was a phenomenal day to your point to be able to reflect on some of the successes and opportunities that we see ahead of us. Um but fantastic work uh and collaboration going on at each of our schools today. I also want to be able to applaud the work of our non-certified staff and that's really uh supported through the work of our future personnel services office um in collaboration with our quantum behavioral health uh supporting the continued professional learning of all of our non-certified staff as well.
>> We now have board uh member comments. board vice president Rodriguez Pñena. >> Yes. Um, I want to congratulate you students for doing such a great job and you know this seems like a very uh big thing right this certificate the way I'm reading I'm like whoa all this excellence and skills and you know I'm so proud of you students and also I want to um thank you for your dedication your parents and I just got to tell the coaches you know coach Sanchez and R they're on fire I don't know great board clerk Ramos >> yes congratulations And uh again, we're all proud of you and uh not only congratulations to the student athletes individually, but also their um and the coaches for all their support and uh the success goes to everybody. So, thank you all for your their support and again to the student athletes for for their their effort and dedication.
I don't know if he wants to demonstrate any of the move. No, we can. Oh, yeah. His hips hurting, but I heard adults and students had fun alike. So, um, so we're excited that they're doing lots of fun things. In addition, they're all walking to school on Thursday for Ruby Bridges Day. They're offering that for all the students. And I think that's really cool symbolism that, you know, as a public school, we take everybody in our community and we teach them. You know, we don't discriminate. We don't every student that lives in our community, we love them and we teach them. And I and I love that that's a sign of that. That no matter who you are, where you're coming from, if you're in Blige, you're one of us and you deserve a topnotch education and our school is going to give that to you.
Okay? If you don't renew it, it drops by a third each year until it goes away. Okay? Nothing's easy. Um successful M override election in November begins in fiscal year we talked about that 2728 so 2627 no tax rate implication so we got a little bit of time on the county levy of taxes successful M override replaces any existing override in the fiscal year following the election okay so I'm trying to remember you you don't have an override now And did you have one at one point? >> Huh? >> And it phased out. That's right. Thank you. Okay. I would say most school districts have a maintenance and operation override generally speaking. So you've you've uh you've been, you know, fair to your taxpayers. It's a tax tax rate issue. It's a public policy issue. So you haven't had one in quite a while. So let's move on.
They were off by one day. So there was there was one student there. um the way we were counting half day absences and full day absences within the middle school there was one student who should have been a half day absence they were counted as full because they or they were counted as full should have been half what either way >> you so there was that so there really isn't the auditors are not concerned with our finances whatsoever And I think once once they are finally done, they should be done with it. Uh you should probably have your have it for the April meeting. Um but you're more than welcome. The profit loss statement will be in there. So you be more happy to take a look at that. Get some sleep at night. >> They generate an updated report once the auditor >> the auditor.
Burchcher mentioned the literacy summit that his team did. It was incredible work and um I think everybody wanted to be a part of those trainings. Um we've also put into things into place like a a reading class for our seventh graders. We have done literacy uh training for all of our junior high social studies and science teachers. So we really have taken a focus on um making sure that literacy strategies are a priority in all of our classrooms. And I am really pleased with the reading um growth there. I know in English um the numbers tend to be a little bit more stagnant. So that shows us that although the last few years we put a lot of emphasis in reading, what we've been doing is working and now we need to uh spend our time focusing on diving into the English portion of the ACT.
She's provided extra layers of care for um our staff by bringing uh homebaked goods and ensuring every restroom is stocked with Bath and Beyond uh hand soaps. Her presence's uplifting and her sense of humor brings ease and comfort to those around her. Uh whether she's assisting a student who isn't feeling well or helping a staff member who has a question, she she never seems bothered, only help to help, only happy to help. She communicates clearly, stays visible and connected, and exemplifies what it means to be a team player. We're proud We are proud to recognize her as a true point of pride. [applause] >> I I apologize. I forgot the most important part. Mrs. Nicks, who did you bring with you this evening? Um, my husband, Jeff, and fellow chaperel shocks. [applause] >> And Miss Mag, who did you bring? else. Well, I brought my wonderful son, Seth, who um traveled down with us.
But since we match every employee, then it's uh it's significant enough to mention it here in the budget presentation. >> Mr. Harmon, I hate the term, but can you explain fiscal cliff? Yeah, great. Um, yeah, it's a term that we use anytime that there is a funding source that we have that's going to potentially go away. And so these two potential items, we've been funded with both of these factors every year. We, you know, and there's a they're on the um the budget's proposed or the governor's proposed budget. Um, but we'll see. The legislature has to approve those two items. If they do not approve them, then we will have a reduction in our overall funding formula by about $500,000. That's that that potential cliff. And again, in fiscal year 28, that that money would come back to us. So, it's really a one-time potential cliff.
And you'll see in the following slide that additional money could be borrowed through 2031. So it' be an additional five levy years. And that by selling bonds through 2031, it will give us an additional proceeds of roughly $9 million. So the process to undertake the sale of the life safety bonds. Uh we need to identify life safety items and obtain cost estimates. We'll do that through architecture. Uh we'll amend the current 10-year life safety. As I said, we have that completed for six of our eight buildings. And if anything comes up on our remaining two buildings, which is Mon Elementary and Creek, uh Mon High School, those items could also be included. Um if we choose to sell the additional life safety bonds after review and approval from Isby, they do add the following cost estimates. There's a built-in 10% contingency for design, an additional 10% construction contingency contingency, I'm sorry, and a 8% uh contingency for architectural and engineering fees.
I would ask them to protect the debt service fund. Um for for schools um the uh the debt service fund is is right now impacted by SEA1 and that's how schools and towns and all taxing units make our debt payments. um standards and pores has already said, you know, this will cause mass financial issues in the state of Indiana. Um you know, because you will have um taxing entities not able to pay their debt service uh payments. And so um you could ask that, but you could also ask um you know, to uh reduce the impacts of SEA1 directly on school districts. um you know as the as we continue to raise prices but that's not an impact you know that's that's not one singular group's control but our state legislature continues to put um you know mandates on public schools that are unfunded you know I know Mr.
The facts are pretty as is. Um, and and the facts will be very clear what I've experienced in the last couple weeks that we're we're seeing happening. Um, and I'm going to give you a few of them without giving too many details, but you know, even in this last week, I I've had an administrator feel that their job was was threatened. They they felt like they were not securing their jobs from from people. I've had administrators spoken so disrespectfully to that they they felt completely inappropriate. They felt that the conversation wasn't appropriate and they should not be feeling good about that. I've had staff members being spoken to in a disrespectful conversation. Um that when the meeting was over, they were they actually were crying and and and calling me as the the super superintendent. I know this past week dealing with H's classroom, I know that's an issue that we're dealing with and we have a meeting coming up tomorrow, but the level of parents being angry towards me, you know, two hang-ups on me when I'm talking to calling them on a Friday night trying to explain about the communication about each classroom, using inappropriate language and and I'm not saying, you know, because I'm the superintendent, they shouldn't be saying that.
Any questions on any of those? We have the budget transfers. Believe Miss Martell is going to handle that. So, we just have two budget transfers. Um the first was an interdep department budget transfer for culinary just moving $11,000 from their other line to their instructional equipment. And then the second budget transfer was um to move money from our principal contingency account which is where we put the money that rolled over from last year. Um we we put money on um automotive, biotech, and culinary so they could make some instructional equipment purchases.