Um we need to uh look at deferring projects that aren't mandatory. Um things like uh boy, let's not point to the curtain in the back there. Uh you know, maybe we need to not fix that because we don't have money to do that right now. Um I think those are kinds of things we need to look at. And then I think some other points to ponder. Um, I I think that none of these, again, I want to be clear, that's why they're highlighted. None of these are to be considered uh an official recommendation. I'm not saying we should do any of these. Some of these will make a pittance of a difference, but we probably need to talk about it, right? Uh the other thing is that this is for information purposes only to start the discussion and to make sure people in the community know what we're talking about.
I shared that with you guys a couple times now. But um the um they have approved for all their permitting. So they're in that process right now. And so again, we have a lift station on the back uh east of the bus barn lot um that is owned by Michigan Town. Um they've received some federal grant dollars and so they are proposing some different projects within the wastewater system, but um that is still slated for this summer. Um assuming you know they get all their permitting and all the stuff um that's required. But they did we did get a notice they had applied since it's on our property. Um, and so, um, I believe I shared that with you guys, but, u, proposed technology project update. Mr. Solomon and I had our our bid date, um, last weekend. Um, we did receive only one bid, which was frustrating, but it was also under budget, which was good.
Who knows what's happening with federal aid. Um we are digging ourselves deeper into a pit with choice and charter. And we're not the only district having these exact same issues. the town health insurance. All sorts of towns all over Western Mass are having to make cuts that they can't afford to make because they have to pay their health insurance bills. So, we we don't need to shame people for being in the same impossible situation that we're in. >> Said out loud. >> Yes. >> Yeah. We're we're all going to be civil and nice to each other this year. >> Yes. Maybe. Um, >> you want to look at your calendars for maybe that first week in March? >> Um, >> oh, I apologize. >> Are we having a meeting next week? >> Next, well, not this subcommittee, but the full committee. >> So, we can either or because usually the scheduling happens for Becky for beginning March, but early March.
This is a big deal that we need to know. We need to know why we're in this position and what we can do. And then I think we need to consider as we do all these things and have all these discussions. This is a great place to work. I've been here three and a half years. This is a great place to work with great people. We need to keep people here that that can help us. And we need to be wary of of having things go so contrary that this becomes such a difficult place to work that nobody wants to work here. We have to keep that in mind. And then lastly, more even important than that is we are a service for these kids. We have to provide high quality education. So none of this stuff that we do or talk about or uh have discussion about can be taken out of the context of we have to educate kids.
Um, and so, and it was by a good, reputable firm. Um, we're still kind of, um, looking at that and and taking a look to see um, because it was a pricing bid. It wasn't, um, you know, just like an all-inclusive like, yes, we're going to do X and this is the price. It was a pricing because of different technical components. Is that am I am I saying that the right way, Mr. Solomon? >> Basically, you just put a price for each individual Yeah. machine. >> Yeah. So, there's several different pieces and so we're we're taking a look at that now with um with our our different consultants that we would use um to see how much of that we want to do. Um we'll bring that to you guys hopefully at the March board meeting. If not, we may have to have a special board meeting between now and then because again we uh the federal rate um is used on that.
Um, >> well, I'm Well, that's the question. Do we would it make more sense for us to meet before or after the March 11th transportation study? >> After hear what the official date from >> would because it's budget season would would you guys be amendable to meeting both before and after? >> Absolutely. Okay. >> So, we will schedule very early March and then schedule >> would we have Roland's budget sort ofish by then >> to go over before the meeting and then have >> Yeah, I would like to do that. the transportation and then have the transportation presented >> well finetuned I wouldn't say the final tune but the final tune budget >> prior to the end >> regarding the whole transport whatever comes out of this report quite honestly is not going to be able to address that by 27 because if indeed let's play out the hypothetical that he's saying we need to contract out we do have an existing and when that is done you need to bargain that bargain that out for That's what's it's been done when school districts be the easier one when they contract out switch from self operating food service management to going with a self- operating food service to a service management company.
We have to do it well. And so I didn't bring this to anybody other than to say this is stuff to think about. We haven't put any pen to paper. if you want hard numbers on any of this stuff, I'll when I say I'll I'll ask him to do it and and I'll and I'll have conversations with her about what we can do. Uh but I feel like those are some things to just throw out there and I would love if you folks had other ideas. We had those work sessions. I think most of those came up, but I feel like we just need to keep it out there. I just don't I I'm just concerned that it's going to be May real soon and teachers are going to want to know what's happening and parents are going to want to know what's happening and I I'd like to be able to to give them some feedback.
So, trying to make sure we're hitting their timelines, too. Um, want to make sure I share March 10th, certainly excited about that. Our school safety summit, um, thanks to Michelle Cooper, thanks to Dr. Chad Cruz, they're going to be there presenting. Um, and so looking forward to that and we we sent that out today. Um, but looking forward to uh that here. We're going to also have representatives from law enforcement. Um, I think I'm going to I know I've already invited the other districts um in the county as well. Um, so really looking forward to that evening. Um, SBOA audit, um, state board of accounts audit. The DOE reviewed that. I know Mr. Davidson, you got emails, um, as well, but the DOE reviewed it, um, agreed with the SBA finding on our our um, all the um, oh, what's the word I'm thinking of, Mrs.
You have to bargain that >> which we're transportation is up for bargaining this year. Okay. So, right, it's just a thing as far as this this report is going to be valuable, but it is not going to just >> unfortunately you >> I wouldn't be surprised if it comes in like mixed messages to be honest with you. >> Yeah. But you know what I mean? So, because a lot of the challenges I say and as much as I don't want to say that I sound like or to give or saying let's go ahead get in the transportation business. um when you look at the I'll say the foundation that they potentially lay with what it is that we are looking to do and what it is that those that have come after and the transition have grown into one of the challenges that tree center currently have is is the staff you know is to be able to get enough drivers so that we're not contracting out even on the you know what we pay our staff internally versus what is that we're paying for a contractor is less >> I mean and it as jobs, >> right?
So that's it for me. Questions for me. >> Barry, is it safe to say that this is a partially from phasing of the SV1? >> Oh yes. Is this like the last phase of cuts? >> No, because there's >> there's another year. >> So, we lose two more years. And Kim, correct me if I'm wrong. It was like two. Okay. So, first of all, when you talk to me about numbers, I'm an ish guy. So, just know that, right? So, if you want actual numbers. No, >> but it's but it's 240omeish thousand this year, 270ish the next year, and over 300 the next year. >> I knew it was phased. I just didn't I wanted the community to understand where we were possibly at within that phasing. >> Right. And so the other thing I would say is our increase in enrollment helped us this year, >> but not it didn't it's not going to overcome that that so even if we grew let's say 10 kids a year would be $70,000 generically.
Boon? What's the word I'm thinking of? Corrective action. Thank you. So, um, we sent that into them and they closed that out and so we're good there. We did get notified this week that our ECA audit now is starting up. Um, so it just must be audit season for us. Um, and so now we'll get ready for that one. Um, and then legislative update just the short session um is going to be wrapping up, I I would say an incredibly fast, furious pace. um they wanted to be done by the end of February and since we're halfway through um and they're just now starting to switch houses um so House bills are going to the Senate, Senate bills are going to the House um and they have two weeks before their their deadline. Um it will get I would say really crazy really fast. Um that's a little concerning because sometimes they just start approving stuff and they don't know what they approve, but also they just start throwing stuff in there too that they're not sure that who read what.
>> You know, there are people who may not be a good fit to be an IIA, but we are still employing people within our community, >> but we're still paying them more than we are pair professionals with children. That was so the context of when they started this and I remember Northampton was about to go belly up because of homeless transportation and we had just got 50 CH homeless children and I'm the one who had them go and there were so many vans in front of my school like it was just open a door check the driver because we had it was a horrible time because all of a sudden Western Mass Northampton was in big trouble. Um, and that's when this was all discussed to keep us from being as bad as where Northampton did because they were having to out of >> because that's when the suite started two guys in a van sweet transportation.
Um sorry you're going to get used to that. uh $70,000ish, but if we're losing 270, you know, that's that's still a pretty significant cut on our our budget. Other questions for me? I I appreciate your passion for our kids and time figuring this out because it's not going to be fun. I got a couple questions. >> Austin, I've got a couple of folks with concerns about just bring it to your attention in case you haven't heard it. Um, a couple folks concerned about like space and gym usage and like inseason versus out of sport season practices like kids getting pushed out from a practice because then the out of sport comes in. I'm sure I I know Barry said you're aware of it. I just wanted to see if you come to any resolution for that or any that's was just like an off week and everything's back to normal since other sports are in and out.
So, um, tracking a lot of a lot of bills. Um, just to give some, I think, perspective on it, I I just literally read this today. Um, the general assembly has passed 92 different K to2 education laws in the last two years and more than 300 over the last eight. So, there's a good change, a good chance there's going to pass a lot of laws in the next two to three weeks. Um, and and then hopefully some of them will give you time to phase in. Others, um, there there's one out there right now about tag. Um there is one out there about sea1 and the debt service that they will go into effect immediately. Um and so there those will be a challenge to try to comb through. Um again we have partners with school boards association, superintendent association, the principles association that will that will read those quickly and say here's the ones that got passed effective immediately.
>> Yeah. I think we're going to have to see what the report says from there. I mean, we can we can discuss this till we're blue in the face, but it's not going to go >> far. March 2nd and 3rd that Monday or Tuesday. Those are the days generally here. How you do it, right? >> Okay. >> I like this time on Tuesday. >> Okay. This time on Tuesday. So, do we want to check with Becky to see because of the way the month shook out uh March 3rd. So, pretty much just changed two to a three and we've got the scheduling done. >> 11:30. Yep. Okay. >> A lot. You said March 3rd possibly. >> March 3rd. >> Yeah, I don't see 11:30. >> Yep. 11. >> Wonderful. Okay. Um, in that case, unless someone has anything that they need to say or something they want added to the agenda for that one, uh, we would have a motion to adjurnn.
>> Uh, I mean it's it is kind of an issue in general. you know, we're just not put on a lot of space, particularly, you know, spring sports when they get rained out, that causes a lot of issues. But that particular instance that you're talking about, I think was a while. We had some we still had some kids that were obviously wrestling and that was an issue. >> So, yeah, it was that issue was kind of was one off, but space in general is is an issue. I'm trying to figure out solutions for that. >> He has talked to me about those as well. >> Yeah, >> I'm sure he has. I just I just want a clarification just so I I I can relay it. So I put you on the spot. I'm sorry. >> No, you're fine. You're fine. I've had I had I've had a couple ideas so gota work out a big one.
Here's the ones that phase in July one or maybe in 27 or things like that too. But um but it is it is it will be a fast and furious ending. So just want to share those few things. Appreciate your time. That's all I have. >> Thank you. >> Items from board members. >> No. >> Anybody want to move to adjourn? >> I move we adjourn. >> Second. >> Move by Amy, seconded by Travis to adjourn the meeting. All those in favor say I. I. >> Opposed. >> Motion passes. 6. Meeting adjourned. Thank you all for coming.
>> So, second. >> All in favor? >> I. And we are adjourned at 12:33. Uh, thank you for this amazing, entertaining broadcast. Come back next month for the cliffhanger resolution.
>> Cool. Okay. Uh and also Paige, what was the program you're using for work? >> Uli. Does that does that I'm just cur This is for my own personal bank of information. So this is I don't don't feel like I'm putting you on. Does it track like how does that work when you assess a kid on those using that word for a minute? Does it does it track accur are you tracking accuracy like decoding skills or is it just strictly uh the same passage read over and over >> there? It's it's a new passage every week. Um and then we're just going based off of where they're at. So they started first grade number one, then they go to number two, they go to number three. Um I and then I'm just having them read and then if they make a mistake I obviously count that out.
>> Okay. Does that track does that decrease or increase the word per minute when they when they're not accurate? >> I would think decrease because then you got more words. >> I'm only counting their words that they got correct. Yeah. Does it focus on decoding skills as a as a precursor to the words per minute? >> I don't know. I've only been doing words for a minute. >> I I don't I don't know much about UFly in general. It was brought to me by um our sped teacher. >> I'll try to put you on the spot. This is my own other schools I work with. People are always asking those questions. So, I'm like I'd like a little information. >> No. Yeah. I don't know much about UFly in general. I know some school corporations use that as their um their basis for a lot of things, but we don't use it at all.