So I know that um my first year No, you were my first year. No, >> Kelly. had Kelly for six months. >> Yeah. Six months. And it was religious. We had two meetings a month, right? A regular and a special, right? And then we came up with an idea of why have a special board meeting just to have a special board meeting, right? If there was no reason, but yet that still allows us to have a special board meeting to be able to have the conversation. So if here's my question I guess if somebody let's pretend that Gail puts something you know I want to agendaize this and we talk about it at the meeting and we all say yeah this is a great idea but we decide let's have a special board meeting >> can can we particular topic >> for a particular topic right >> we just did for >> absolutely >> yeah yeah for the day um so I I see that as an opportunity to be able to sit actually in a more relaxed environment um depending on the number of people in the audience, right?
Even half of a percent on a borrowing for a project can result in millions of dollars in long-term savings for the taxpayers over the life of the borrowing. And that rating is not guaranteed. If we rely too heavily on one-time fixes and we don't do do what we need to do and that rating declines, our borrowing costs will go up and taxpayers will ultimately pay more. So, this is not just about this year's budget. It's about protecting the town's long-term financial position. And I also just want to be clear about the path forward depending on the outcome of this vote. Um, if this override vote does not pass, the town will still need to close the school funding gap for the coming year. and the most likely path is going to be to draw additional funds from stabilization to temporarily support the schools. But that does not solve the problem.
It was just the how we got there that we had to figure out >> figure out why it's there. I mean, and I've talked to the state. I've talked to >> I mean, the reasons we were given is for the the um schools that have clinics, >> right? And so that's like that's what it covers, but it just it ends up being a slippery slope, right? So, I mean, we don't know what's going to happen. So, >> so we'll make sure we have the definition and before we like before it gets approved, we'll make sure we have all of that >> because had I not researched it in policy, I would have no idea what an invasive physical exam means in a school, right? And then when I read it, I was like, wait a minute. >> Yeah. So, >> so thank you. Yeah, that's all I >> of course.
It shows that you really make um teaching something that the children enjoy. You can see the passion and I enjoyed Mrs. Burton's screening she gave me. She pulled up her screen and showed one of the projects was a missions project on Minecraft and I thought that was really fascinating. Everything too much to list. So, um, and then the other thing I wanted to bring up was just appreciation for the kindergarten class, Mrs. Gwyn. Uh, I appreciate so much your passion to promote patriotism and a love for country with our students. And this land is your land. I remember that singing that many, many, many years ago. So, thank you for doing that for the kids. I think that's so important. And speaking of which, uh, May 17th will be a rededication to, uh, to God for the United States of America. and recognizing our uh our founding of Judeo-Christian values in the United States of America.
Um just to be able to have that conversation if we need to. If if there's nothing heated, um then there's no need for it. But if there's something heated and we feel like we need to have more conversation on it, I I feel like that's just an easy path. Well, it sounds like >> opinion. >> It sounds like this could be a conversation that we want to have. I mean, I'm hearing it, right? So, Tisha, >> will you please request to agendaize that for for maybe a meeting? Maybe, you know, we can do it and at least do it before the fall starts and we can >> then you can decide as a group, okay, >> we're going to make this a more nimble process, >> okay, >> of getting something on the agenda. Let's talk about how we're going to do that and make it so.
It's only going to delay it. So in that scenario, we would likely be back before voters next year asking for another override for significantly larger amount of money because those school cost pressures will continue to build. And at the same time, we would need to address the municipal side of the budget, which could require additional financial support from taxpayers just beyond the schools. not to mention facing the daunting task of replenishing the millions of dollars back to our stabilization fund. So the choice is not between paying and not paying. It's between addressing the issue now in a measured way or addressing it later under more pressure with fewer options and at a higher cost. The override being proposed is not about expanding government. It's about stabilizing it. Starting with our schools or recognizing broader challenges across the town. As a finance committee, we do not take this lightly.
And then um lastly, we began the discussion on um policy 1312. So, the committee would like to hear everyone, all the board's opinion on whether or not there needs to be a policy to make a formal complaint against a board member. If yes, if this is a consensus, then we need to write a new bylaw because um all policies that apply to board members are in the 9,000 series. Um the opinions of the committee vary um and so we wanted to know if anyone wanted to share their thoughts now or if you wanted to take that away. We're still in review. it's not even on for a first read or yet. So, we're still in the process of trying to figure out how we want to handle that. And, you know, part of um one opinion is that we're elected officials and therefore that's how you, you know, public comment and emails and voting or not, you know, voting us in or out is how essentially you complain about a board member.
And so our president will be doing that on May 17th. And um lots of ways we can celebrate these upcoming months for our 250th dedication or excuse me for celebration. Uh so I just wanted to um acknowledge that and that's it. really no comments for me today. >> Okay. First of all, I I wanted to also appreciate the teachers. I hope that you understand. I know it's like teacher appreciation week. We we appreciate you every day of the year, not just this week, but you know, thank you so much for all you do. We know, you know, we it takes a team to educate children. We know that. But usually, you know, the kids are remembering their teacher from 40 years ago. they're not remembering the school board or the you know anyway you guys have the most the closest impact on the children and we do appreciate you and see what you guys do.
>> So, Madam Secretary, can you in the governance. >> Are you looking at me or >> No. >> I know. I know. But can you can you find in the governance handbook that little thing that tells us how it is that we're supposed how how we're supposed to? >> No. No. There's an actual in the It says in our >> in the handbook it tells us how how we're supposed to do it. >> It does. I know. >> I thought it also had something about when newbies came on because I thought that would be a good thing to add in the handbook that when newbies come on, >> they're introduced to the goals. >> This is the handbook right here, >> right? And it's in there for action. >> Okay. >> Nine. >> Page nine. >> Well, it'll say 11 up at the top. But that's and the one in the govern sand is very vague.
Recommending an override is something we do do only when we believe it necessary to preserve the long-term financial health of the town. And after careful review, we believe that the override is necessary. Ultimately, this decision belongs to the voters of Ashlin. But our responsibility is to ensure that decision is made with a clear understanding of the facts. The reality is simple. We can address this gap now in a controlled way or we will be forced to address a larger one later with fewer options and at a higher cost. Thank you and go clockers. >> Thank you, John. You know, I had some some notes written down in my in my script and they're in big red bold with yellow highlight which means they're important, but I'm going to since we already talked about them, I'm going to skip most of them. I do just want to remind folks that the budget that we're discussing or about to discuss assumes the override passes.
Um, and then there are members of the committee that feel like there should be a process for a formal complaint um to come against a board member, which you know, again, we'll we have to sort of flush that out and what from the public, right? >> Um, you know, some opinions are that it that's what emails and public comment are for. >> Um, so we'll have to talk in more length about that and that's something that we definitely want to hear from all the committee members. So, >> she wants to shoot you an email on that. >> If you want to send an email, um, if you want to talk to me in person, if you have thoughts now, you want to share, however you want to. >> More of just a question. So, >> are the options to create a 9,000 policy >> with that intent and remove 1312 or >> No.
Thank you so much. Um also thank you for inviting us to the spelling bee. Um you guys did such a great do job last night. It was really fun. Denise and I got to be little pretend, you know, like it was fun. It was so cute. I just love seeing them. You guys did a great job decorating. It was fun. Everybody had a great time. Couple tears, but you guys handled it so well. best middle school, not so much. >> Oh, okay. Well, I I didn't come Monday, but Tuesday night was great. Um, and Kirsten was a very great proctor. It was it was wonderful evening and I appreciate your work that went into that. Um, I also attended Earth at Wasuma and um I know Leslie's been in Joseph Peterson's been in charge of that and it was a great, you know, she's like, "Oh, it's not as big this year." It was still great.
It doesn't reflect the process we just says individuals may request an item for future agenda by explaining their interest in a particular course of action and working to get a board majority support moving direction. >> Right. >> And so I think I think at the time that well I'm guessing that at the time that the procedure went into place was because it was quite chaotic during co and and it needed to be kind of like streamlined and um >> formalized. >> Yeah. >> Can you scroll down, please? >> Erica, >> request for action. >> The majority of the board sitting in a formal meeting request action and it should be done in the context of the intended results. Oh, it's a policy. >> I'm honestly not I'm not following what you're talking about. >> I'll enlighten you at something. We're policy 900 or >> 900.
I'm not saying it should, it shouldn't. So, the comments you're hearing up here from folks about the override is because the override supports the budget we're voting on. That's certainly within scope. Getting up and saying, "Okay, yes, no on the override," that's not within scope. But explaining that the numbers you're seeing are because it's supported by the override is perfectly fine. Similarly, those of you out there are certainly welcome to come up and say, I'm not going to put words in your mouth, but ask a question about funding. What's supported by the override? What's not? That's perfectly within scope. We're just not voting on the override. And as I said earlier, uh if the override doesn't pass, we have to come back on June 3rd to reconsider the budget based upon lower available revenue. Before I go to the next part, there was a gentleman back there who was standing at the mic.
>> So, 1312 would >> Yeah. So 1312 is a policy that is an avenue for a member of the public, a parent or a member of the community to um basically go up the ladder, right, >> and have a chain of uh to voice their concern to to lodge a complaint against if they didn't let's say they didn't get their answer, they didn't feel like they were paid attention to at the building level, they can go up to the superintendent. Um, and then if it's egregious or if it's something the superintendent feels like the board needs to, you know, weigh in on, then the superintendent can bring it to the board. None of that and none of the language involves board members. So, if we wanted that that policy has been used to um make complaints against the board and it hasn't been it it doesn't fit correctly.
I thought the it was a wonderful opportunity. It was fun to get out there and decorate the kids. It was actually kind of cold and shade, but her birthday, you never know. Last year, I think it was hot. Anyway, that was wonderful. And um I do want to thank Lesie for all the work and hard um dedic she's put a lot of dedicated time into the um the garden at Wasula and I know it's been her passion for years and um it it was just great to be there. And um what else? Oh, I went to the Central Valley Education Coalition meeting at the Madera County uh superintendent of schools back at the beginning of April. I it was after the last meeting anyway, a couple weeks ago. And um it was interesting. It was great to get together with other school board and superintendent and board members from Madera County and hear that, you know, other people are having similar problems as what we are and we're not alone in it and it's not just our district.
>> I I'm not I'm I'm trying to find it. I'm trying to find the governance vote. I know that Eric >> Well, >> what would I mean I guess I'm I'm just trying to streamline what we're doing right now. What would be your goal by finding it right now? Each of this >> just to make a motion like if it's in the if I think it's to re to review that the the manner in which we agendaize items and I think it I do believe that it's in there and I would like I would make a motion as to I mean we can >> whether it's in there or not I guess I can governance and that's part of what we're talking about today. It's not it's not not on the agenda. talk about. So, >> but you're talking about talking about it right now and making a decision right now or you talking about let's get it on a future >> right?
It seems like an hour and a half ago. Um, and I told him I' I'd let him come back. I'm not quite sure what you'd be speaking to. There's nothing on the floor to speak to, but if it's if you have something that you think might be >> Okay, thank you. Let the record show I did a spot for you. Voting on the budget is a two-step process. First, we will review and vote on appropriations for each of the various accounts. After action has been taken on all the accounts, we'll vote on the overall budget motion. I will start by reading the names of a series of accounts. If you have a question or comment on a particular item, yell out hold. After voting on all unchallenged light items, After voting on all ch unchallenged light items, we'll go back and discuss any that were held.
um we started using that policy two years ago and we sort of have realized since that it isn't exactly the right avenue for that. Um and again some of us feel like the election public comment and email are how you complain about an elected official. >> Um but if there if we do have the desire as a board to create a policy it should be a bylaw and so we need to actually create something in the 9000 series. I did go looking for something like that. Um, I can't find anything that exists in any other policy manual or in any other district. >> Okay. >> That I was trying to find language. Cabe doesn't have anything. Um, so, >> okay. >> I did speak to Jod at Cabe at length about it and he feel, you know, and he had his opinion, right? That's, you know, what they give us.
And so, um, and then the speaker of course was kind of talking promising about the May reise, but I'm like, we've been hearing that, but let's let's let's get the mayor revised before we celebrate, right? And it wasn't even a celebration, but it was just like they're still talking positively about it. So, like encouraged. Um, and let's see what else. Uh, I think that was it. Oh, I think that was it, right? Oh, um, next month I am going to try and get back. I'm on vacation that day from work and I know we agreed on this um date and I will do my best to get back on time. Um, but I was already off on Monday, Tuesday, and then I didn't have Wednesday cuz it wasn't approved, but then they approved it >> for what? >> For my work, for the next meeting, for the next school board meeting.