uh for many of these students, you know, uh you'll hear from our graduation speakers that they oftentimes didn't think that this was a a possibility, right? And our program provides them that. So, um it's it you're right, it is quite powerful. >> One last question. >> Can you talk about the flexibility of the program? Also, I think people only see it as a seven to nine, six to eight, and that certainly is not what you offer. >> Sure. Um, so I joke with my staff that I'm kind of on call 7 am to 9:00 pm Monday through Friday and two weekends every month. Um, so what the name of the game is for us is regardless of when you come in through our doors, we want a program that's going to help you, right? Um, we have weekend seminars that have been very popular with our parents that are trying to complete their high school uh, diplomas because as a parent it's easier to find a babysitter for two days backtoback for full days rather than 16 days spread out over the course of the semester.
>> Yeah. We've managed finances well over the years and it's and you know, we've been able to put put this off for a really long time. Well, >> and I'll give kudos to the to the folks to my far right because under the conservative management program that you've done since you've been on board, I can say that um not only have you increased, you know, uh cash flow uh reserve funds that we have. Uh it was 600,000 at one point. Now we're up to 8 million. That's uh over a 10 year period, 11 year period. That's uh there's nothing to sneeze at. >> Well, it shows dedication and and and >> commitment. >> Well, it shows discipline on everybody's part. Um you know, the policies are only as good as how we follow them essentially and and that uh comes from the select board and the finance committee and the school committee and ultimately town meeting.
Uh, we have asynchronous classes. We have computer labs that are open 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. and then 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. every day of the week. Um, we really try and make it so that regardless of what your barriers are, we're going to help you get through those and reach your goals for a high school uh, diploma or to learn English or to prep for your naturalization exam.
Um so and that is one of the things that uh like an S&P um is is concerned about is like well okay you've got policies do you follow them and so they've been very very impressed about the way we have followed them. Um, so we're deviating a little bit from them, but they also know we have a track record. Um, not only with this, but with our OPED plan. You know, they they get they're happy with that as well. I and I will say I told this to Fincom last night um this has probably been the most challenging budget I've dealt with and we've dealt with but I think also the boards have and you've invested a lot of time um as a board and as a tri board group you know getting to this point it it has not been easy and to your point yes things have changed because you've gotten more information you've gotten feedback you know the state budget becomes a little clearer as we go through time.
>> Anybody else have any questions? Kate, >> not so much a question. Rick, thank you for all this information. um you always bring uh a lot to the table um for us uh to consider and also do a lot for for our um community. So, I appreciate that. I just wanted to compliment um your team on this strong start family literacy pilot program you guys are starting. I was really excited to see this in the packet tonight because we know that that intervention um the younger that we do that with students, the more successful their outcomes are going to be. So, this is a great program and I'm really excited to hear about the outcomes from it. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Anybody else? >> I just want to say too, I'm going to agree with Sean. I go to your the graduation every year and it's one of my favorites.
So yes, it is meant to be an iterative process. If everything could be locked in a year in advance, we wouldn't have if we could foresee things that clearly, we wouldn't be in the issues, you know, communities wouldn't be in the issues that they have, you know. >> So, >> okay. So, we have the we have the budget, the non-override budget. >> That is correct. Um, and so if you, Katherine, if you wouldn't mind scrolling down to schools, everything stays the same except um, for that one. Um, and I see where I made my mistake there. It meant to be that's where I got 1.1. It was in my head. That should be 1.4. And so that total should be 45.86 864. The one to the left >> 45 >> right right in the middle. I'm sorry. I had made a mistake. had put 1.1 that's saying that's where I got the 1.1.
So, thank you for what you do. >> Rick, I I mean you you keep blowing us away with the numbers, the way that the program is growing and I think you know you're the epitome of if you build it, they will come and they're coming. Um the enrichment component too is is phenomenal because anybody can access those. It doesn't matter. You're not necessarily trying to finish a diploma. You know, beer making and crocheting and all those things. I mean, we perked up over here because those are things that we all need, you know, to do something that's different than than the ordinary. So, um I think the community appreciates that as well. Having access to that is really important. But um the number of families that you're helping to build capital, social capital, and navigating the school system is so key for our families. Um and that directly impacts student achievement in the schools.
>> Okay. So it's 1.4 and that's coming from stabilization. >> That is correct. And so the 45586 actually would be 45886 because we would need to add the 300,000 that I >> Got it. Okay. >> Yeah. If you wouldn't mind doing that. >> All right. And then this this mirrors the the other budget with the exception of of stabilization. Just that line item for stabilization. Do we have anything for >> So this line for So this is the budget. So this would be the school department appropriation. >> Okay. >> And the stabilization fund would change as well. So that would be article two. >> Okay. >> So Michael, I have I have a question. The cemetery cemetery parks and trees uh line. So I know that we had talked about the creation of um an additional department that would fall under DPW >> would be separate from DPW separate.
Um 57 applications for the PAR Pathways program. I don't think we've seen 57 applications for 80 positions posted in the last three years. So I'm very excited to stay on top of that number and please keep us posted on how that's going. Um but your leadership on this program has been second to none. Um and your advocacy at the state level um has been very critical and we look forward to continued growth and partnership with you. You've done a phenomenal job. Thank you. >> Thank you guys. >> Okay. Got actionpacked day here. Uh evening I should say. I'll try to move through the superintendent report uh on the quicker side. Um so this week we had a Danberry day at the Harford Capitol. Um and that is a a day that it's just uh designated for Danberry and I think Norwok was there as well from what I understand.
So currently it is part of DPW and so it would be separate from that. >> Yeah. So something um you know I was thinking that I know there's going to be some changes in that department anyways. >> Um and that that number might need to be um reconsidered adjusted. Um >> it it could be I think um I think we probably wouldn't put that into effect until later this year kind of you know giving some of the the things that are happening you know just to make sure that we got the right people in place. So that might take a little time. So yeah that would that appropriation is based on a full year. >> Yeah. So, and would we have some conversation about that before it even was implemented later on in the year? >> Um, I I'd certainly brief you on it, of course.
Um and we had several board members attend attended this was organi in central office members as well as Danbury NEA Heather Rens brought her uh one of her classes and um this was organized through our state and local delegates to kind of facilitate um a little bit of a concierge service at the cap, a little bit of a tour um and an opportunity to to mix and mingle and to understand a little bit better how how um how things work at the state department level. So, we appreciated everybody who attended that. Um, and we're looking forward I think we got some ideas and Mike helped to organize that as well. I think we got some ideas coming back on what we could do maybe next year. It was kind of the first time in a long time I think we hadn't gone up for a Danbury day since precoid.
>> Okay. Cuz because honestly, I felt like we weren't really didn't have much of a briefing on that um till we besought it the night of one of our meetings. So, um I I just feel as though that still hasn't been vetted out for me. >> Okay. Um, and so I' I'd really, you know, now with changes and everything, I'd like to um make sure that we're ready to to do what was planned because I'm not sure we are anymore. >> Well, >> I mean, I kind of wasn't sure anyways that it seemed like a lot of big things that that we hadn't that I didn't have a good understanding about. >> I can I can understand that. And um yeah, so in between um giving giving you that that more full briefing, I think the budget document has um you know, pretty laid out uh you know, perspective and and kind of the rationale behind it under that department.
Um, and I haven't been I have never attended one. So, um, I was scheduled to go but then could not at the last moment. So, I'm looking forward to next year and and making it better for everybody. Um, I'd like to turn it over to Cali is going to give us an update on Granville preschool expansion, which we're excited to to talk about. >> Yes. Um, thank you, Dr. Casemro. Um, so, as uh, you guys have been aware of over the course of the last handful of years, our preschool numbers continue to grow at exponential rates. Um, and so this is our programming for both students with special needs as well as their typical peers. Um and so several years ago during COVID uh we opened the Granville preschool site which was which is an amazing facility and as soon as we opened the doors we had more students to serve than we had room in the brand new beautiful school.
So that'd be a good place to you know start and then if you have any questions and everything we can um we can talk about them and then then you know bring it and have that discussion. >> Yeah. I just don't want it to move forward automatically at this point. So, um >> I that's how does that how do you make that decision? >> Uh well, you know, that does start getting more into like the operational pieces, but I don't think it precludes getting feedback from the board by by any means. >> Yeah, I mean I absolutely understand that it's walking a fine line. Um, but at the same time, I feel as though, you know, we should always be on board, even if we're not even 100% agreement. I think we should always, you know, be kind of brought along when when decision big decisions are being made, right?
Um so we have been using uh Sacred Heart kind of for some overflow space and classrooms. Right now we have three classrooms at Sacred Heart and uh 10 at Granville. And so we have worked um with Bob Batello, who is uh the owner of the building, to expand um Granville uh so that we will be able to get all of our preschoolers at one site and location, which I am so grateful for. Uh he has already started the work on the project. Um the the uh church has moved out of the building. So we will convert the actual church space. He's basically gutted the interior um into three classrooms as well as um multiple related services spaces and offices. Um and that will happen um between now in the summer. So we will be able to expand into that section of the building. I apologize.
And that's just what what I'm requesting. I'm not asking to uh run anything or to um, you know, tell you how to run things. I'm just saying that that I I'd like to have complete understanding of what the plan is. >> Clay, I think it's perfectly understandable. >> Um, you know, to to, you know, help you understand it more and kind of explain, you know, ration and everything behind that. >> Okay. >> Especially since we're going to have to figure out like how to permanently fund it because it's not currently in the operating budget. >> That's correct. So, I think I think that's where [clears throat] I think that's where we're, you know, we want to make sure that it's vetted, >> right? Yeah. >> Yeah. You want to I mean, you want to understand what it is. [clears throat] That makes total sense. >> Um, if somebody asks you, >> geez, I don't know why we're, you know, putting together a a buildings and facilities and ground separate department.
That section of the building for next school year. Um and then we will also be a adding on an additional four classrooms out the back of the building. will extend the hallway essentially and add two classrooms on the top level and two classrooms on the bottom level which will give us an additional seven spaces. So this should hopefully house our preschool program for a very long time. Um and so we're really just super excited about it. We'll be a little tight next year um as we have uh four classrooms fitting into three classroom spaces, but we're going to make it work. Um and then the following year we'll be able to grow and expand some of our related services areas for our students. So, thank you everyone. >> Awesome. Thank you, Kelly.
Yeah, I don't think that's a good answer. >> I don't think your constituents would think that either. So, >> um >> yeah, >> can do that. >> Are we good? >> Think we're good. >> Okay. >> Review debt schedule. >> Well, let's let's vote on the We have to vote. >> Oh, yeah. That's right. We have to vote on that. That's great. >> We have to vote on the budget. >> All right. So, I'll entertain a motion to accept the operational override budget as presented. So moved. >> Second. >> All those in favor? >> I >> That's three 02 absent. >> And thank you to >> um to Michael and Cindy and everyone and staff >> in involved. Yeah. Involved in this procedure. It's been a long haul and uh still have a ways to go unfortunately. >> Yeah. I mean, I I I really have to say for the finance team, for it to be your first year as finance director and town accountant and Don's second year and to go through this budget process, that's a trial by fire.
>> Does anybody have any questions on that? >> I have one question. So, what's happening over at Sacred Heart once we move out of there? >> Um, so the hope is uh to to no longer need a lease on an additional space um as we are increasing uh the lease on the Granville space. Um right now um we have both special education preschool programs and um school readiness. We have two classrooms of school readiness. Uh so for the fall, we will not need to rent the full facility um because the special ed classrooms will be moving out. We are still working to find spacing for the school readiness classes. Um so we may need to rent a portion of the building for next school year, but our hope is the year thereafter we will be fully vacated from that lease. Okay. Um and up next, just a little shout out to Pemrook School.
>> Yeah. It's not it. >> We hopefully we don't have to >> have it happen again. >> Repeat anytime super soon. So, >> keeping my toes crossed. >> Kidding, right? >> Yeah. >> Um, there was another item that was added to before we go through the debt schedule. There was another item that was added to the um >> Okay, I didn't get the new uh print out. So, >> the um the item is to vote to support the 2.75 million operational override for the FY27 budget. >> Um I know that, you know, we've talked about the operational override. Um, so I I actually asked to put this on the agenda because I felt like it was important for us as a board, and I know we're only three tonight, but um to vote to support it um so that when we are at town meeting, we can basically um >> speak on behalf of the board.