So, we'll just have to find her strengths and figure out how it mingles with ours and move forward. We're excited. I will say from the um two things. One, um first of all, Ashley has helped out immensely since she's come down here. So, she's been wear she wears two hats from time to time, um which huge shout out to her for that. Ultimate in team player there. Um and I would also say that the Mrs. Deena's right that there is a different feel there. Um and it's it's good and the um feedback that we have gotten from um several of the people two different groups that we've worked with, so I shouldn't say several. Two different groups that we've worked with that have been in and out of all of our schools have nothing but praise to say for what what they feel and and the expectations that are happening at Landis this year.
Thank you, Ms. Beckworth. So uh we were thankful to hear from the town administrator um that uh following our last our last School Committee meeting that uh he is advocating for $100,000 of the collective bargaining reserve funds be allocated to Dartmouth Public Schools to help solve our budget gap. So um that >> [clears throat] >> brings the town projection to 4.68%, which I think is a is a positive development for us. Um that transfer from the collective bargaining reserve fund to our operating budget would require a 2/3 vote at town meeting. Okay. So there is another hurdle, but um >> [clears throat] >> the town administrator is prepared to have that uh on the warrant for consideration of of uh town meeting members. So uh this is what that means in terms of our current budget situation. So you'll note that um as of our last meeting our budget request was $58,204,287, a 5% increase.
>> our cap was at 65. Yeah, but but again we we I didn't say our cap. I said we were trying to hold it in that general neighborhood of 60 to 65. We decided talking with Mr. Baldwin that we would have three open slots there. >> And we said 68. So we could go to 68. That we at least wanted to have a few possibilities in case some of these people want to transfer. Typically, what we're finding is So for example, seniors typically aren't transferring to a different school. They like to be a senior and they're going to stick it out. They're going to ride it out with, you know, the district that they're in. Could there be a potential for some seniors depending on, you know, a variety of different things, who knows. But typically seniors you don't have a whole lot of seniors wanting to switch their senior year.
Any opposed, same sign. Motion passes 6-0. I move to approve Samantha Steeter as a fourth grade teacher at Central Plains Elementary School for the 2026-2027 school year. I'll second. Motion by Allison and second by Josh. All those in favor say I. I.
They would They would pay up to the $700,000. And then we we as the community or as the booster club come up with the other. Yes. Yeah. And then And I don't know what the school budget is, but I think it would look It would help a lot if the school could look at their budget and say, "Can we put $200,000 towards it like we did with the fences? What can we put towards this, you know?" I I think I think it'd be good. But I don't know what the school budget is. And then yes, the booster As we add up the numbers Are there other grants that the school could come up with? It's been a lot of work, but >> And And I just want to add to Yeah. The I feel like if the community is going to support this and had They had supported a lot of this.
>> Do I have any questions? >> Our committee members were Larry, Ed, Marty, Heidi, Shelley. Yeah. >> Anybody that was on the insurance committee? >> So, it's $4,200 deductible. >> Uhu. >> So, that means they have to put $4,200 in when insurance kicks in. Is that what you're saying? >> They have to do 5,000 this year. >> This year now 5,000. And again, it's up to what's happening. Like with for me, if I go to the doctor, I play some of it goes toward the deductible and some of it I pay. So, it's just kind of it's it's up to it. But it's less than it has been. >> Okay. Yeah. >> I just thought you ask. >> Yeah. No, that's a great question. >> Yeah, it's a great question. >> I know what deductibles are. >> Yeah. I mean, >> are we? >> You're ready to I'll make a motion for this, please.
Strom. I I I would say that why this is important is that this is a part of our strategic plan, right? So, one of the things that we learned and you heard about board last time was the importance of us coordinating our resources in a way that's going to to ensure systematic improvements. And this is one of those fruits of that systematic improvement. This is something that's a result of a lot of work, the implementation of Schoolinks, the the shift in terms of thinking of our pace frameworks, and then also the link to our colleges. So, I want to thank our school counselors and our high school administration for their partnership in that regard. And and last but not least, I just want to when as a community things come up, I want to invite us to continue to use the resources. We have our principals, we have our district level administrators, we're always available to join in conversations when there's a need for support regarding challenges or things that aren't in line with our values.
Um, and then certainly glad to answer uh any recommendations or answer any questions that you might have um about these policies and appreciate your commitment to regularly reviewing them. >> Board members, I'll entertain a motion if there are no questions for Dr. Windham. I move that the board of school trustees approve new policies 6120 and 6250 and revise policies 1106 33418 and 7030 as presented on first reading motion by Kim seconded by Jennifer. Is there any dis sorry motion motion by Jennifer seconded by Kim.
So, um that that's a big deal. So, I'm sorry. >> [laughter] [clears throat and cough] >> They're they're doing a great job and I tell them that all the time and it's we all learn something new every day, right? Whether we're been here a year or 20. But it's a it's a great and and and the administrative support that they get just from their colleagues, I think is you don't get that everywhere, right? I think maybe Mr. I'm not going to ask you to talk, but like just coming from other places, like you don't get the collegiality that you get here. Um so, I'm biased, but That is true from top to bottom. Anyway, I'll shut up. Okay, thank you very much. >> [applause] >> Okay, we're to department comments. Business report, Mr. Craig. Yeah, a couple items for your benefit. Uh Yep, this week we'll seek concrete placement and variable entrance.
Uh the town's projection as I mentioned is 4.68% now. Uh so the amount unfunded would be 0.32%, which is $178,309. We had had some discussion discussion at our several of our previous meetings regarding how to resolve that and um it had been brought up that uh we would we should consider using the kindergarten stabilization funds to bridge that gap. So the kindergarten stabilization fund has about $367,000 in it. Uh so if we were to utilize $178,309 to bridge this gap, we'd have about $190,000 left in the kindergarten stabilization fund. Now if if the committee elects to take that route, um it will also require a town meeting vote. Uh so we would have to um certainly the committee would have to vote to take that action, but they would also have to request that the select board place that item on the on the warrant for the annual town meeting.
So we at least wanted to give the ability to accept students at each grade level. And keep that number in that 65 to 68 range at the high school and keep that number at the middle school again in that 60-ish range. Now if you come in one year and get accepted and you're in your year two, does your slot then move up to the top or do you stay filling that bottom slot? Yeah, they they they do not count towards the open enrollment numbers. >> Cuz they're now in the open >> They're in with us. Once you're in and you're in good standing, you are in. You don't You don't count against that number. Right. Good question. Anything else? And then we will post this information on the website per policy. And that this there's a cutoff date on this one of June 1st. I see.
Any opposed, same sign. Motion passes 6-0. I move to approve Darla Evers as a sixth grade teacher at Central Plains Elementary School for the 2026-2027 school year. Second. Motion by Allison and second by Josh. All those in favor say I. I.
This is a public tax payer paid school. And so, I feel like we should be allowed to use I want to use it. If I did, I want other people to be able to use it. So, while you say like, "Oh, we only see so many people use it." I think more would use it. And I think it'd be a really blessing to our small town. But, we have one of the reasons I'm saying that. Sure. Yeah, and I'm not going to like have to be perfect in I'm saying. But, just yeah, we have to I feel like we got to accomplish something. We're going to do something in the future. I don't know. Is that something you guys would be willing to explore or is it Yeah. It's very vague. Yeah. Okay. >> We just need to know what started off the position and so you know I stopped if there was any reason to and I would actually have numbers of how many people swimming in the pool using it.
>> So, I move to approve the 2026 27 employee benefits plan and a second. >> I'll second. All in favor? >> I. Okay. All right. All right. Our next item is the um HMS and CDHS coaching stipens. So, every year when our um our base pay increases, and this year increased by $1,000, um we take the base and we calculate it by the percent here. So, our base went up a thousand, which you approved uh last month. And this is our current now our stipens for the next year for both Heritage and CVHS. >> And if if I am correct and correct me if I'm wrong, but our female coaches are is comparable price to our male coaches. >> Yep. We leveled it. That was one of the very first actions we took the first month that I had this different job title. Um we'd had coaches in sports in prior years who had pointed out the discrepancies that we had between >> [snorts] >> um some sports [cough and clears throat] and um some girls sports compared to boy sports.
And I want to invite individuals to reach out to those resources. We also, if you're looking for just general information, Clarity Corner is a resource. And also, if you have on our website, we have a tool or resource called Get Help Now. And so, there are a number of resources for our community. When things are not in line, we have a responsibility to work together, and we are committed to that. With that, I want to invite our board members for some additional announcements as part of the superintendent's report. All right. Garrett Forward Robotics won both the Midwest Regional and the Miami Valley Regional. The team is set to compete again at Worlds in Houston, Texas later this month for, I believe, the fifth year in a row. Congratulations and good luck to the team in your next big competition. Doubling down, Oswego East High School alum, Noah Schultz, will be making his pitching debut for the Chicago White Sox tomorrow.
Is there any discussion? All those in favor? That motion passes 5-0. >> All right. Next up is approval of student handbooks. Dr. Finley. >> Okay. Thank you. We had a good process this year with the building principles and and there were a few policies that we tried to to bring together in the handbook or procedures that just to ensure that um we had consistency in elementary, middle, and high school. Um the vaping policy in particular, making sure that we're um all in alignment there. And then also a few other things, of course, the cell phone policy, which has changed, and that's Indiana law that um cell phones cannot be used throughout the school day, not just during instructional times. So, we're adding common language in the the cell phone in the policy regarding cell phones and and if there are any other questions regarding um policy or the the handbook updates, please.
So, it's been a long time coming, but uh with your support in terms of last bond sale, this is an item that we're going to check check this item off the list. It needs to be done and uh we'll have them will be on site this week. >> [clears throat] >> We'll do that phase as an effort to keep the entrance and exit uh that folks are used to open. Uh so, you know, we want to comment that, but uh does start this week. Weather pending. Uh secondly, and and this is really two parts. Um we've been going through some software updates. Um one from the state level, Gateway has rolled out a new state uh tool, if you will. And with that always comes just some training and some uh some hours spent navigating what that's going to look like. Uh we're in the middle of that process right now.
Um so so not that we've decided to do it yet, but for if we decided to use just $178,309 from the stabilization stabilization fund, we would just be asking for that amount to be taken out and then when in a following year when we needed more we'd have to ask again. Is that right? That is one option, yes. >> Okay. Available to you. Um or we could take it all out and find other places to use it. Hopefully not in recurring needs. Correct. Mr. Oliver. So I think obviously we have two choices here. We have a few choices. One being we we look to this kindergarten stabilization fund or we look to school choice, in which I'm not comfortable doing especially with that money in kindergarten stabilization fund sitting there. Um I think we we request My personal opinion is that we request the $178,309 from the kindergarten stabilization fund to balance this budget and then we leave the remaining amount in there um for next year or years after that uh when we're in the same predicament that we may be in.
Yes. Okay. And this was base A number if you look at that public content information of 5618 this past year and next year base A 2627 school year will be 5782. A slight increase which I've shared with you that information before. Motion to approve the USD 244 student enrollment projections and non-resident enrollment capacity as presented. Motion second.
Any opposed, same sign. Motion passes. I move to approve Zoe Potter as social studies teacher at Central Plains High School for the 2026-2027 school year. Second. Motion by Allison and second by Josh. All those in favor say I. I.