Reader
Browse passages, annotate evidence, and export with full provenance for citation.
A motorcycle. Is that how an Easter cat gets around on a motorcycle? It would be fast. Ah, so you can beat the Easter Bunny. I should have known. He's saying he'd be faster if he's on a motorcycle than hopping like a bunny. Clothes. No, you don't need special clothes, cat. Does the Easter Bunny have special clothes? Well, the Easter Bunny does have a very nice vest. So, what would cat wear? So, cat's thinking, h the Easter Bunny's wearing a vest. What should I wear? Wow, that's very um sparkly. Do you like that outfit for him? Looks like you're ready to roll. Have fun, Easter cat. So, there's his basket of eggs on the back and he's heading out back so soon. What's up? What do you think? Why is his hand to his mouth and his mouth is open? What do we call that? That's right.
⚗ AI-reconstructed · cite from original above
Um again this is not a one-year issue. Um, we've been talking about this for years. Uh, and we've been able to manage within basically the resources that we have utilizing tools and sometimes very creative tools uh to do so. But quite frankly, we've we don't have any more tools left in the tool box, at least large ones that we can utilize. So just to review some of the major ones that we have done. Um we have done actual cost containment. Um that is verified through our health insurance management and the plan design work that we did. Uh moving to the GIC back in 2015 has saved this community over $15 million if we had not made that change or compared to if we had not made that change. Um, we have solar projects uh throughout the community that reduce our operating costs and generate revenue for the town.
⚗ AI-reconstructed · cite from original above
It truly is what we truly believe is necessary. Lastly, I know that I've had conversations with both towns as most recently as five minutes ago with with Wilson as well too, which I know is going to join us in public comment shortly as well too. um they appreciate the process that we've been going through and and the open conversations that we've been having. Aaron and myself have met with Bolston and Berlin um and appreciate I'll use that word transparency. Um we're presenting this their budget. Um I also appreciate the feedback we've gotten from parents as well too and from select boards of about the best way to present this budget for you too. But I have also heard um from to Aaron and I referring to questions about the past, right? We're still hearing questions about before Aaron and I got here. What happened with this?
⚗ AI-reconstructed · cite from original above
Uh I made a comment in the board of finance meeting that the open checkbook needs to stop citing the town tennis team being placed in a country club and the taxpayers footing that bill.
⚗ AI-reconstructed · cite from original above
Finally, we support the whole student by maintaining positive campus climate. Our ASB keeps the energy high with lunchtime activities, themed spirit weeks, and dances. Supporting all of us is our modern approach to PBIS. We have moved to an entirely app-based reward system. Students earn points for positive behavior and can purchase items at our PBIS store with their balance automatically deducted in the app. It is a seamless system that works in real time and reinforces the values we like to see on our campus. Thank you for your continued support of our students and our mission.
⚗ AI-reconstructed · cite from original above
12 chaperones, three are staff members, one sponsor, two admin members. Our outstanding balances are a total of 17,000 out of the $98,000 that we've had to raise. So please join us tomorrow at Chipotle from 4 to 8. say you're there to support Continental Civics and um part of your pro part of your food price will come to our civics group. Hope to see you there. PTC amazing. They did a mother and son cosmic dodgeball for the first time this year. I hear it was a good hit and you can see thank you to all the parents and students who attended and helped. Kindergarten roundup. Great turnout for kindergarten roundup. We currently have 23 students registered for kindergarten next school year. That's what it was last week. I wanted to get an update today from Miss Emma, but I didn't get a chance to talk to her.
⚗ AI-reconstructed · cite from original above
So, I would like to say this because I didn't see Jamie, but I know she was there to see her son with those two solos. >> I couldn't make it. I'm sorry. >> I hear he was pretty good though. Thanks. >> He was You heard Bill say extraordinary. >> They were They were great. I mean, this is the third year I think we're doing that. And it's the third year I went and I'm telling you, if you haven't gone, just to see how awesome our kids are and that it's a good time, man. >> It it was it was great. Uh the acting, the >> the whole nine yards. They just kept >> throwing different type of events and all of that, but >> it it turned out to be really well. and I was trying to leave every five minutes but I could not and I stayed there to the end and and it was great.
⚗ AI-reconstructed · cite from original above
There is a sign above the inside of her door that reads, "I loved spending the day with you today." And she truly means that. Sarah is not only kind and compassionate, but also fierce when it comes to advocating for her students. If she feels a student is not receiving all of the support or attention they deserve inside or outside their school, she'll be the first to step up on their behalf. The needs of her students are always placed before her own. Miss Sarah Dickerson has a genuine heart for all people, big and small. She inspires those around her and leaves a lasting positive impact wherever she serves. So, congratulations Congratulations. Thank you. Right there. >> Congratulations. >> Anything to say? >> You can stand in front of kids all day long, but I don't want to stand. >> Great job. >> She's very deserving. Thank you.
⚗ AI-reconstructed · cite from original above
He's yawning. Uh oh. Tired from his hard work. A nap. You've already taken five naps today. Do you know in real life cats like to nap all day long? So he's tired. Oh, he's holding up his sign. You've taken seven naps today. Then you can't possibly be tired. How is he ever going to deliver Easter candy if he's tired all the time? I'll bet the Easter Bunny really is tired. He has to deliver millions of eggs in one night. He can't take any naps. Cat looks a little worried now. He doesn't know if he can do the job of the Easter cat like the Easter Bunny does. Nope. He gets no naps. Not even one little nap. I told you he has a hard job. He's feeling sorry for the bunny now. He's like he needs to have a rest or a nap like I do.
⚗ AI-reconstructed · cite from original above
Um, we instituted an energy savings performance contract which continues to save over and above what we were promised. Um, and we've also relied heavily on the ability of our staff and the help of our elected officials at both the local and state and federal levels to secure over $30 million in grants over the last 12 years. Um, and some of the ways that we have utilized budget restraints are we have essentially depleted or or eliminated our pay as you go capital, relying only on our free cash appropriation in the fall to fund general fund capital. We've actually made uh reductions in actual appropriations in municipal departments. uh specifically thinking of one year in 2021 when we made $750,000 in reductions across the municipal departments and the capital budget. Um and we've constantly been able to basically by default sometimes prioritize the work that we have.
⚗ AI-reconstructed · cite from original above
What happened with this money? Um, again, I just can't stress enough, you know, the the towns of both Berlin, Boston, and the Department of Education. We've all agreed that since Aaron and I are here, our goal is to move forward in our budget. We settled our budget when we first came here, Aaron and I with the Department of Education. Remember, we're very close to being a one 12th community where they were going to just allocate our budget one month at a time. We met with the Department of Education. We met with both towns. we agreed that that was the budget we were going to agree on and move forward and we want to continue to make sure that we do that work as well too. So, it's extremely important that we continue moving in that forward direction with our budget and preparing for our for our school district for next year.
⚗ AI-reconstructed · cite from original above
Um, since I only have my three minutes and I have a lot to say, I'm going to skim this a little more. Uh, the parents apparently pay 125 pay to play. So, I want to know what the cost is that the taxpayers got charged for the country. So, Mr. Gman making $240,000 a year likes to talk numbers. So he has an assistant John Bishop making 180,000 that's 420,000 combined between the two of them for a school district of 156 students. It's almost a half a million dollars plus benefits to be ranked 58 out of 190 school districts by school board review. not being in a city that's extremely high for wedding. So let's put that into perspective. Mr. Gman works 180 days a year. $240,000. That's $480,000 for a 365 day year. Mr. Bishop 180 for 365. That's 360 for a 365 day year. Total that's 840,000 plus benefits plus you have secretaries.
⚗ AI-reconstructed · cite from original above
Now, I would like to introduce Gladstone student Samantha Madrical, who will lead us in the pledge of allegiance tonight. Please stand. Place your right hand over your heart. Ready? Begin.
⚗ AI-reconstructed · cite from original above
But we had a full house for kinder roundup. It was great. You can see all the parents that were there. So again, if you know any four-year-olds that are turning five, ready to start kindergarten, please send them our way. rodeo showcase. It's always a great time to share the love of horses and ranch life with our kinder and first graders. So, we had a great time. Um, kindergarteners also had a little rodeo going on of their own, which was fun. And there you see our staff and our students participating and trying their skills at Ro VIP Colt Buck lunch parties. So, you can see the kids. It's an incentive for students and options for redeeming Colt Bucks. So, Mrs. Deas and Mrs. Curtis planned this amazing VIP cold lunch party. Did any students attend? I'm going to go to the VIP party. What do you think?
⚗ AI-reconstructed · cite from original above
Any other updates? >> I have something to share. um just from the education foundation. Um we meet about once a month and so we are winding down this year and I did share that I would ask the board when they could be on the agenda if this is appropriate at this time. Do I ask that or do they need to come ask that? But looking to see if they could do a year in review at our April 14th meeting. >> Yeah, you can talk to Dr. cogn myself and we can put it on the agenda. >> Okay. >> I thought you was going to ask me for that donation I've been promising you for six months, but I want to tell you >> Thank you for the reminder and it's officially on the record. >> Okay. And I I I promise you it's a little interest every month compound.
⚗ AI-reconstructed · cite from original above
Uh moving on the consent agenda. >> Yeah, you can leave. >> Yeah, you guys take off. You take off. >> Sorry. >> Yeah. >> All right. Next on the agenda is our is a consent agenda. Uh approve review and approval of minutes. Uh review and approval of claim dockets. Review and approval of fundraisers, review and approval of donations, review and approval of field trips, and review and approval of the personnel report. You've all had a chance to look over these uh documents. I need a motion and a second to approve the consent agenda. >> I'll make a motion to approve the consent agenda. >> I'll second it. >> I have a motion, a second.
⚗ AI-reconstructed · cite from original above
Hey, do you hear something? What do you think it is? Ah, the Easter Bunny. The Easter Bunny even has a special egg just for you, Cat. Wow. How do you think Cat feels about getting his own special Easter egg? He has a big smile on his face. He's looking very happy about his special egg. Then Cat looks at the Easter Bunny. Poor tired Easter Bunny. Wait, Pat, where are you going? Wonder what he's up to. Do you know what he might be up to? A side car on your motorcycle. What's that for? What do you think he's going to do with the side car? Cat, are you stealing the Easter Bunny? Looks like he's pushing the Easter Bunny towards the side car. H. Well, then what are you doing? The cat looks mad. He's like, "Oh, I'm not stealing the Easter Bunny. What is he up to?
⚗ AI-reconstructed · cite from original above
Um but that leads to service level reductions in other ways. Um it means we can't do the financial capacity or financial research that uh really really a community um of our depth and professionalism should. And another thing that we've done is we've used one-time resources significantly. Uh we've used American Rescue Plan Act funds. Um we've used the stabilization funds. uh both the general stabilization and our special education stabilization fund. And we've even gone so far as to use overlay surplus when we've need to make up a a gap uh with using one-time revenue. So the overall message is that we have utilized multiple tools to delay a lot delay a tax increase. Um but right now those tools are exhausted or those funds are declining rapidly. Um the the amount that we've taken out of our stabilization fund over the last year and what we're anticipating um in the next coming year is um really accelerates the depletion of those funds.
⚗ AI-reconstructed · cite from original above
Want to thank the school committee um for their support during this process because it's been hard, right? So, us sitting here today, this is a culminating activity. Um we spent a lot of time preparing getting this ready for you guys and getting feedback from you. So, I want to thank them for that. Um, and with that being said, I'm going to ask Aaron to join us up front where he's going to talk um about and walk us through our budget presentation. Um, the the presentation is available online. It's on our district website as well too. Um, we put that out in many places as well too. So, please, please, please um you can follow along with it. You can also follow along with on your phone if you're necessary as well too. Aaron's presented this budget multiple times already to school committee. We're not going to go through every single slide.
⚗ AI-reconstructed · cite from original above
Mark Penny, CEO of the town, works 365 days a year for 220,000 with no assistant and only a secretary and attends many of the board of selection meetings, many of the board of finance meetings and many other meetings. So comparing to similar towns, Farmington with 4,000 students, 17th place, top 20 school, 11th place um as a school, 17th place as a district according to US News. Superintendent makes 170,000. Assistant makes hourly actually 3731 that's 71,000. Planeville 2250 students 113th place by district 82nd by school their super makes 99,875 assistant makes 80,000 Burlington 1740 students super makes 142,000. So for what we're getting, we're paying an awful lot of money with an awful lot of staff to not be a very good ranked school. And if the open checkbook is going to continue with a 5% 6% increase year-over-year, which actually doesn't equate to that because you just ask for 263, apply that to the percentage that got approved, you're not at your your budget.
⚗ AI-reconstructed · cite from original above