Other questions for superintendent >> 18. >> I just said to do the um two days just like everybody else in Farmington knowledge doing the 180 to be consistent with everybody else. >> They're going to kind of have that wiggle room for the one day. Hopefully, right? >> Yeah. Right. >> I I appreciate your point about it really has trended to where everything starts when things start. It actually usually start the week before even sooner and now parents just adapt, but now this is the second. >> I'm not sure we would have that. We would have kids at school on the 22nd. Don't get me wrong, kids would be in school, but there would be a population of kids that would not be in school because I know for a fact camps are starting and we have a camp that we're supposed to be holding here >> for music on that day that they're actually looking for another place um to to go to for that one bed.
Mr. Ortega, I turn it over to you. >> Thank you, Vice President Rodriguez Pena. Um, I would like to u call on Jesse Pena Fernandez, our student board member from Muza High School to uh do his report. >> Hello. Can you hear me well? >> Yes. Thank you. Good evening, board vice president. board members, cabinet, and community. We would like to start off with congratulating all the parents who were recognized for their commitment in making a positive community. We would also like to congratulate Lin Greer who was named Isuza Unified School District's parent of the year. Her leadership and advocacy to supporting students and family at Isuza High have made a tremendous impact on our school community. This week, Atuza High School ASB is hosting inclusion week with ledge activities designed to bring students, families, and staff together. Each day will feature theme, a different theme.
So they are where they would show up at. >> So when it says administration, it's not just talking about superintendent, principal, and director of student services. >> No, no, it it's also their their staff. So the the ladies up in the front that would all be included in there as well. Um if you So if can you click on the operational peer groups? Oh, it doesn't. Okay, scroll on down. So this is the five-year comparison on where we spend our funding. Um, classroom spending has gone up two and a half percent, non-classroom spending down two and a half percent over five years. Um, over on the right is our per student spending by area. This is on a one-year comparison. Um if you look the big ones there are total operational spending so administration plant operations but we've went gone down in transportation and about the same right there in food service.
Gazinski for an update and they said that they were waiting on the attorneys to have conversation or it was stuck in between somewhere. So if we're paying our legal counsel to do some of that mediation and there's and we're paying for it that's maybe give maybe if our expenses were 4,800 you give them 5200 whatever it is but we got to figure out what the district paid. So, Bill, when you present us your legal point, ensure you put that amount that we're paying you to offset that cost. >> Yeah. I'll try to separate it. >> And it depends on what the contract said. >> There are certain costs that were that you know, Mr. I worked to put together the packet that went out. So there was certainly some cost into it and then there was a more specific cost with respect to the negotiation the particular contract at issue here.
like we're like I think if we proverbally kick the can down the road with the override um it's not going to go away and just would would there be any could you foresee an instance where the ask is even greater down the road because we're not fixing the issue now. >> Yeah, it would have to be right. I mean I mean it's just >> if if the override [clears throat] fails and we utilize $1.7 million in school choice funds to pay for salaries th that doesn't go away right so either the next year we have to reduce our budget by the 1.7 million in salaries or we have to figure out a way to incorporate that 1.7 in addition to the other things that we're not able to get on the 300,000 for athletics. Now you're at 2 million immediately and then that's before taking into account anything else in terms of contractual negotiations.
So, we're going to manage this through a process we did uh uh three four years ago when the town voted to acquire some open space land on Lynen Street. Uh it was for $2 million and we had a benefactor that basically gave us a $1 million gift. So, we financed internally $1 million. We did this by writing a one-year bond and each year putting 250,000 plus the interest payment into it and rewriting the bond each year. that typically is referred to as a band. The bond anticipation, it's a common technique. Of course, these are municipal bonds, so the interest rate was in the 4% range, 4.1, 4 something around the nature. And uh this year, we'll pay that off. So, I have a 250k hole that I'm saving to continue the same process to pay for the roof. So, that means the next four to five years on the Boilston operating side, I'm paying for this roof, but I don't have to go to the taxpayers and say, "I'm raising your taxes." And that is how I will try to sell this at town meeting.
Um, so there's so and I thought about Joe what you said about why not try why not take one to Kim's point it's it gives us a little bit of flexibility and the whole the surrounding counts are at 180 so interestation other questions I do have a motion if everybody's uh inclined it says that motion that can board of education approve changes to 2025 2026 6 school calendar reducing the number of school days from 182 to 180. Can I have that motion? Thank you. Second. Thank you, majority. Further discussion, comments motion was to say for this 256 school year forever. >> Forever. This is 256 school calendar. >> Yeah. Yeah, I did. Let's do the 202526 school calendar reducing the number of school days. Yeah. >> So, I'll read it again. The can board of education approved changes to 2025 2026 school calendar reducing the number of school days from 182 to 180.
Monday was twin day. Today is team up. Tuesday, tomorrow focuses on peace and kindness. Thursday is be comfortable with who you are. And Thursday's theme is be unified. Our lunchtime events will feature community partners and our parent volunteers who are helping in creating a more positive and connected community school. Since March is Women's History Month, Isuza High School Community Schools is inviting students to bring photos of women who inspire them to the spa or parent center to be included in a mural celebrating inspiring woman. In addition, theme together will host a movie night and women's empowerment social on March 20th after school in the library. Last week, our members of the Isuza High Student Union met with Claremont High Student Union to discuss ways to strengthen campus culture and student advocacy. Soon, they'll also have a virtual visit from Dr. Pedro Nguiraa, dean of the U US USC School of Education, who will speak with students about their projects and leadership work.
Um we are way down in equipment paying in interest and other things and that's going to be all it's going to come from our capital funding those figures there. You scroll on down any questions on any of that? All right, go ahead. Scroll on down. So, administration, like I was saying before, we are high against our peers. Um, click that peer average one more time because I know that there's one of these that send us to the what our peers are. Okay, so state average is 1309, peers average 1641. So what that is is there's a group of about 10 10 districts that we are compared to and it's all over the state. Um and then we're spending 1811. Then you see as far as uh plant operations were very low uh food service were low and transportation were very low. Try that glossery page.
So that's and then like Mr. Sal was just talking about trying to communicate and get information about where we're going. So there's some of those costs >> and I and I think >> it's not going to be an hour. >> No. Okay. And I think at this point I don't think we should try to solve what we're going to do next. I think we need to just take a deep breath >> and think about it. >> Absolutely. Jamie, >> can you refresh my memory? Did we open this bid this time specifically for this one person with >> Because in the second time we did it, they were supposed to submit a bid and then so we opened it a third time. >> A third time specifically for this person. >> It wasn't so specifically because everybody still had the opportunity. >> Had the opportunity, but we redid it.
Uh so you're probably looking we've been trying to work at at a number and it's going to be between five and six million for an override number. That's more than likely the because you've got to pick up all of the operation component. Now I'm trying to incorporate 690,000 of the operate or 1.1 million of the operations into it. We're already reducing 1 million of our current budget in order to do that. Uh [clears throat] John, you're so this is the the policy here that you were asking about. >> Yeah. uh with regard to you know what we do with the funding um and you know what Michael was saying in terms of the um free cash and general stabilization um numbers. So um but if it's greater than 10% 30% previous year's free cash goes to OPED etc. Right? So so it's significant. Um, and again, the the special ed stabilization component is there too, right?
There will be an article in town meeting for the full amount because we have to authorize the spend and we have to now explain it. So this is going to get really interesting and complicated. There's going to be a ton of questions. Uh but you've seen me stand at the town meeting. Uh I joke that I have teflon suit on. So if you fling it, it bounces off. Okay. Now that's one that one piece. Here's the other bit of information. The Department of Conservation and Recreation known as DCR notified us Friday about 4 pm by email. Of course, our town offices are closed on Friday. Uh so it was Monday morning before we saw it that the pilot program pilot T payments in lie of taxes and that is for the reservation land uh watershed land all around us. Uh the state owns uh let me see how how much I'm trying to find that number.
I have a first and a second. No further discussion. All those in favor? I >> I also you >> Yep. I >> So that's 9. So you can get that communication. >> Yeah. So there's a letter, just so everybody knows, there'll be a letter. Claudia already has it that will go out to um the community tomorrow morning. I'm sure this will be out there tonight um for sure because it's on the agenda. People saw it. I was already getting asked. Um so I thank you for that. And then Mr. Daniels and I will um talk about what we want to do with teachers and the the non-certified. and I'll send communication out to them. Christine was also aware that teaching events on the agenda. Thank you. >> When you get back in touch with us about what we find out. >> Okay. So, we have uh we have several uh committee reports to try to get to do this quickly on the finance side.
We would also like to acknowledge some of our recent successful events. Last month, our ASIC adventure night was a huge success. Students showcased the talents in the talent show and our staff was able to connect with families. The event ultimately brought families and students together for a great evening of community engagement. We would like to congratulate our Isuza High academic decathlon team who had a great season earning most improved in the super quiz placing second in their division and winning 17 medals in competition. Congratulations [clears throat] as well to our girls soccer team who made it all the way to the CIF division 7 finals and had an incredible season. Thank you to the community who went to Santa Monica to show their support and they ultimately outnumbered the home crowd of Santa Monica. Spring sports are now underway and we wish all of our student athletes the best luck this season.
and then come up district pure groups. Okay. So, operational we are number I think we're 10. Let's scroll and see if it actually gives us the districts names. I know somewhere in there too. Anyway, go on back student enrollment. So, since 2020 versus 2025, 2020 we have 604 kids. Right now at 2025 we have 587. Uh but our one-year enrollment change we're up 14 kids and over five five years we're down 16 kids. going scroll on down to teacher salary. So this is average teacher salary with um classroom site fund included which is $11,000 less per year than the state average. Um our teachers average 11.4 years of experience. We have 19% of our teachers within their first three years and there's their average salary. um 81% being in the fourth year or later with that being their average salary and we're also averaging 14 students per teacher.
>> But we Yeah, we we just say, "Hey, we still got a potential buyer out there." Okay. >> With a high property. I was just wondering I just couldn't remember if where this fell, >> but it was it was for any public person who wanted to >> Sure. >> bid on the property. >> Thank you. >> Yeah. So, you know, let us digest what we look to do with this building and take it from there. >> Thank you. Thank you everyone. >> All right. Thank you guys. Do we have any old business? >> I had a question about the um I think a couple months ago we talked about >> the agricultural teacher getting a grant for 50,000 something >> for the wash and >> I don't know where we stand on that >> pack and wash. That's why you tried really hard to get it right.
That we're utilizing those funds. Um, and you know, we're sort of making a concerted effort that that's a driver that we have no control over. Uh, I just was at the superintendents and legislative breakfast a week ago and state reps and senators heard us loud and clear about special education costs and especially out of district costs, but there's little movement and appetite for movement to try and and and control the private sector of special education um, schools um because it's not actually, you know, run by the department of ed. it's not determined that that the increase in uh the schools are are not um under the purview of of desi and that's a struggle right and I can say from a standpoint of the superintendent association we're advocating instead of a 75% reimbursement for circuit breaker we're advocating for a 90% but we're also advocating for a three times the cost versus a four times the cost before you start getting reimbursement per pupil cost.
Oh 2,700 acres that boils the name. Uh they've been paying us uh $600,000 a year for probably five, seven years. They just increased it to 800,000. >> Great. >> No, this is and uh it took us the morning to confirm it. It's on their website. Uh so fiscal 27 we now have another 200k. Uh fin made a motion last night to basically split it as we've done before. 100k on the town side 100k to the schools. So this makes a huge help for Aaron of course and trying to get to that budget point. All right. Still uh we're very limited on that that piece here. Um that I think are the two major items. Uh, Michael, did you want to expand on any want me to expand on anything else? >> Uh, do you mind if anybody has a question for you from the committee?
Um Mr. Bush, do you want to make any comments on >> I think we went over the uh the February financials which Jana covered again for us pretty well. Um we did have a few public comments which was unique for our meeting. Um I think some of it was addressed again tonight. I think the biggest thing that we talked about um well two things I would say was the undesated fund balance and the interest that's accured on that. I would like to defer to either Anna or Jordan to explain that a little better if anybody would like an explanation. Um, and then we discussed it after the referendum and we had a long conversation about facilities and how we're going to address that and but after the referendum in May that's going to become a focus. >> So, uh, just from the finance committee standpoint.
Finally, a reminder that March 27th will be a minimum day and spring break will take place from March 30th through April April 3rd with school offices closed during that week. Thank you and have a good good night. Thank you. Thank you, Jesse. Uh, I'd like to now turn it over to Miss Alina Torres, our student board member from Sierra High School. >> Good evening, board members, Superintendent Ortega, and Cabinet. I would I want to start off by congratulating all the amazing parents of the year. Thank you for going above and beyond for not only your own children, but for the betterment of all students. We thank you for all that you do. I also want to congratulate the ISUsa High girls varsity soccer team for going to the CIF finals. I had the opportunity to watch the game and was proud to see my fellow AUSD students put their hearts out.