001It was too early for me. >> Heard that. >> I was going for the first and then >> I saw the >> I don't takes a second. I just know as well. I just got an email. >> Yeah, I had to go get her computer. >> I'll wait till you get it. I'll just check. Don't bring my phone in here, but I still get the >> Yeah, you're close enough. >> It's okay. Okay, it's live. I don't see it though. All right, Lisa, you're good. >> Let's check the volume. Make sure we got >> There you go. You're good. Hey man, you did I don't know. You did a great job on that. I was >> clearly general number. >> Yes. >> You can't see the M2 board members. >> Really? >> Yes. >> That
002is minimal. Thank you. >> Be funny. I just thought they were cut. I was moving the camera. Oh, I just want to make sure >> well is we ready to go on your end then? Okay, >> ready to go. >> Cory said it'll be joining us about a quarter after. Um, so I think we'll just go ahead. Uh, it's 504 and I'm calling this meeting of the committee of the whole for Monday, January 19th, 2026 to order. At this time, I am looking for a motion to approve the agenda. I'll second >> motion by Paulie. Correct. Seconded by Jamie. Any discussion? All those in favor say I. I. Opposed. Moving on. Special appearance. Um Amy Monicanin from Siren Royal Ambassador Program. We're hoping. Yes. >> Go ahead. Floor is yours. >> Um, well, I am
003currently a Lions Club member and I just moved back to the Siren area in July. Um, and super passionate just about our youth and giving them options and giving them opportunities. Um, and especially our high school age youth, there's other than sports, there's very few things for them to be a part of and be involved in. Um, so I spoke with a couple other of the newer Lions Club members. We've got some ladies in there now. So, um, and then also presented to the Siren Chamber. So, I have the support of the Lions Club, the chamber, and I believe tourism as well to move forward. um met with some district administrators um in hopes to just get support from staff, schoolboard members in encouraging our youth in going forward with the program. Um our mission
004would be to support the growth and development of our communities, high school youth through scholarships, achievement, community involvement, and grace. Um, we will continuously strive to foster a positive building experience for all participants and create higher levels of self-esteem and confidence for all participants by building lasting relationships with their peers, youth, local businesses, and the community as a whole while supporting future growth through scholarships. So, this would be an ambassador and scholarship program. >> Awesome. So now I'd like to just questions. Anybody have any >> tell us what it would entail? >> Um >> I mean we've talked about it but >> Right. Sure. So the vision um beyond what the mission I just shared is is to get at least six young men or women um that are currently either in grades 10 or
00511 if need be um to participate. Um, I've been a part of the B I'm from Baldwin originally and been part of the Baldwin windmill days committee and festival for >> a long time. >> Oh, okay. Um, and Baldwin has really just built a wonderful program for royalty, for community, and it's something that I'm excited to hopefully be a part of here in Siren. Um so it would entail um each candidate or each person interested would need two letters of recommendation from a non-family member. Um they would have to write a bio a self biography. My name is Amy and I've lived in Siren and this is who I am type thing. Um both the letters and um the bio would be judged by judges that live a minimum of 60 miles away from Siren.
006So there's no partiality. nobody's playing favorites or I know your uncle or I know I knew your grandma type thing. Um and then um hopefully we would have sponsors. That is the biggest goal that's going to help support this and kick off this program. Um and with that each candidate would have a gold level sponsor and a silver sponsor. and instead of a traditional pageant or talent, they would be doing a commercial on behalf of their sponsors. Um, prior to that, I guess they would also have to write a thank you letter and deliver a picture of themselves to their sponsors, get to know them, shake their hand, find out what do you want me to cover in your commercial. Gold level sponsors will have the opportunity to escort their candidate in the night of
007crowning um where their bios will be read. They'll perform their commercials and then they'll answer an onstage question. Um, there will be one-on-one interviews again with judges. I have six to nine that I've lined up that go from St. Paul to Rochester to Oaklair that are all willing to come up here. Love them to do that. And they've judged other Cornations, other pageantss, things like that. So, the only common denominator would be me. But I would, you know, I have a code of conduct for the committee that they would have to sign on how they behave, how they conduct themselves. Um, and there's a code of conduct for the participants and also the parents. Um, there's a big ask, there will be a big ask for sponsorship levels, especially this first year. And the biggest
008driving force of that is we don't want families to see a financial strain to have their students participate. Um so keeping costs very minimum to the families involved but it's going to require sponsorship to do it. >> So I have a couple questions. Um is this so whoever gets on this what else will be entitled to them? Like are they going to other parade? Because to me this is a parade thing. Do we still have siren like I don't even royalty? No, no, not at this for five years. >> Okay. Because I know there used to be little. I guess I don't know with Okay. So, this is kind of But you're only doing teenagers. You're not doing any littles right now, >> right? Not right now. You know, maybe further down the road, but
009right now I really want to focus and give these high school kids >> that opportunity. And it would be open to young men or women. It would be considered an ambassador program. Um right now the titles that we have slotted would be Grand Royal Ambassador, first Royal Ambassador, second and instead of the typical Miss Congeniality would be Heart of the Court which is voted on by the contestants. >> So how many parades do you anticipate them going to? And then are you like are they riding around a car? Do you need a float? Like are you >> So the Lions Club has agreed to purchase a float. some friends of mine with the Hammond Lions Club who no longer has a royalty but built a brand new float are willing to sell it to the
010>> great >> Siren Lions Club. Um the chamber has talked about I mean we've covered everything from purchase of a float, insurance of a float, waiver of liability. So, I was part of the Baldwin Royalty program and you know, it just really has been it the things I heard when it first came to mind and polio, I don't know, it didn't go over the last time. It was not so good. Um, the last MC said never again. Um, and I want to avoid those things. I want this to be a positive for the community. Uh, when I met with administrators, it was asked, "What do you want from the school?" >> Yeah. I was wondering, are you planning on doing coordination or anything here? >> It it's open. We could do it here. We could
011do it at the park. I would like to see it here, and I'd like to have a I have an idea for something to do for the community as a whole prior to, but I don't want to talk about that. Um, but it would get people here. >> Um, I don't know if we're going to do this to kick off summer or if we're going to do it July 3rd. >> So, there's some still some things up in the air. Um but the next step because I have approval, we've got the insurance quotes, we're good to go. Um the next step is to present it to the students and see if there is an interest if they want to have fun. It is a time commitment as it in regards to number of parades. I'm
012anticipating 20. >> Oh wow. >> 20ish depending. >> Um it's going to depend too. they're going to build connections with other royalty and go, we want to go to Hudson because we really like those people or whatever the case may be. >> Um, but for sure, you know, your local from St. Gray Falls to Spooner, Hayward, you know, encompassing those. The other part of the responsibility of the ambassadors is going to be a part of the community. Whether it's attending chamber events, you know, and being present, whether it's judging a soup cook off or something else, you know, being a part of that. Um, I would like them to read these market parties and the brand royal ambassador will submit a monthly article for the paper talking about what they've done and what they're looking
013forward to doing. So, it's a whole host of things beyond just riding on the boat. >> I know you put a lot of time into it and I really appreciate that and I would love to see it be successful. >> You talked a little bit about a scholarship piece. >> Yes, >> that was why I wanted the board to hear this in particular. So, >> so the scholarship piece, if the community um business owners come forward and we're able to fill every scholarship spot that I've budgeted for, the Grand Royal Ambassador will receive a $2,000 scholarship and the other three will receive $1,500. There is also a clause in there. Should one of the royal court choose not to go into post-secary education, they are still awarded that as long as they meet the criteria.
014There's their their attendance at the required things. It's laid all out in the in the requirements of what's to have. >> I have a question for you. um what do you when you're talking about the gold and the different levels of um sponsorships, what what kind of money are you talking about? >> I mean I mean honestly that's that's a true statement of business owners like some several people on this. >> So as I stated the first year it's going to be a very big ask because we are going from zero >> zero. So between the Lions Club and the chamber the float is covered so is the insurance. That's a big um so if we have 10 gold level sponsors at $1,000, eight at 500 and 12 at 250. That covers everything and gives
015us about $4,000 of wiggle room for unexpected. Oh, we didn't think about that. And it gives us something to build on. part of the candidates and the royal court will have fundraisers throughout the year. So, that's going to supplement. Um, the other thing I've been in touch with the St. Paul Winter Carnival royalty and we would love to be able to send that. So, that's another part of that sponsorship to be able to send them that's $2,500, but if they want to go then we're going to do fundraisers and things throughout the year. Do you plan with that money that you raised for that? Is it going to like cover the dresses or the suits? Okay. Like the problems, the sashes, the um upgrades to the float, it's going to cover their shoes. It's going
016to cover their shirts or their polos and Yep. It's >> funny to be getting to the parades, that kind of thing. Or as transportation on on there. >> So, that'll be that'll be one of the tough parts. Ideally, what I would love to see happen is to find a couple of community members that are like, I want to drive the float in the parade. And then we only have one to two people that are doing it. So then parents again aren't >> trying to find a vehicle or having to go. Um, if the court themselves want to drive or a parent chaperone or one of the committee members, there should be an adult that travels with them because prior to parades, there's tees. There's queen teas beforehand. They get fed and they get to meet
017and talk to everybody and a lot of places have activities afterwards. >> So, so >> my last I'm one of my last questions I think with this being for Siren a place for all seasons type. What do we do about open enrolled students? Are we only going to do students >> that lives within the boundaries of Siren School District and is enrolled in a whether it's in school or private? >> But it has to be with the district of Siren. So if they live in district of Webster and they go to school here, they are not eligible for this. >> It's correct. >> Yeah. >> Okay. I just want to make sure that's >> geographical. >> So chamber asked, "What if you don't get six, >> right? >> Would you open it up to Bernat
018County?" I'm not opposed to that. That just changes the dynamic. But when it changes that the dynamic of it, then my mind goes to well then we're looking at bigger scholarships. >> Well, I don't Well, true, but I don't know what you'd have to open up to Bernette County. I think you could just open up to open enrolled into Siren because we have a lot of students that are right on the border of Webster and Siren or Grantsburg and Siren or Frederick and Siren that they live in those other school districts but they go to school here and I can think of someone on top of my head who may actually be interested in this but they're not an actual district. I don't know. So my question would be that I would come back to
019like administrators again minimum of six would be ideal, right? To get at least six young men and women interested. Would it be impactful? You're saying yes. You've got one right off the top of your head that you believe would do this. >> I think so. And so I'm not I'm definitely not opposed to saying anybody that's enrolled in, >> you know, >> I mean because if I'm being honest too, I think a lot of student they've been here forever and you wouldn't even know that they weren't sure they're they're open enroll because I mean they're in the school district. They've always been here, >> you know, and a lot of them are just on that cus and we have such weird wonky school district lines here, especially out going out to hurdle like >> I
020used to school bus for Webster for 10 years. >> No. Yeah. Which which neighboring communities would have an ambassador program within Bernett County or is this >> There's none. Okay, that's what I was thinking. So it to Bernett County or not competing with any other groups if that were to happen. >> Ideally, I'd like to keep it within siren. I think it's something to be siren proud about. Like I said, a place for all season siren proud. give these youth and again if there's you know men young women that want to be a part of it I want to it's going to look semi-traditional pageant right but it's not they're not going to have to worry about performing a talent or giving a speech in front of >> you know 200 hopefully people that have
021come to watch >> but they are going to be put on and it it builds so much character just to participate it gives them new levels of confidence new levels of pride just to be a part of something. Um, so yeah, I think there's if you believe there's a chance that we can get six kids that are willing to do this, how did you come up with the number six? >> It's just a good even number really. I mean, realistically, you know, and if you have if you have only four >> and only three based on and so judging will be based on points. whoever earns the most points in the interview from the judges. So it'll be >> But you if you only have three that technically meet criteria, >> then one doesn't get
022up. >> You're right. And the heart of the >> the voted on can go to somebody else. So the heart of the court is voted on by the groups. >> Okay. >> So you still may only end up with three people on the float. >> You know, and I'm not opposed to opening that deal when we have a huge like 14 girls. I'm I'm up to adding one more that just kind of changes the sponsorship levels and whatever. I'd love to see it happen. I think it can be so much fun. >> But yeah, >> no, I was just going to say I don't know what size that class is. We may not have 14 girls in that grade level. I know our I know our eighth grade class has about nine. We are >>
023When my daughter ran for Miss Miltown um and was Miss Milton for the year, they were accepting sophomore day and junior. Yeah, >> I'd like to open it up to sophomores and juniors. Um, >> occasionally there's been a a senior somebody between their junior and senior year, so they serve their senior year. >> Yeah. And it's the only reason that I sh I shied away from that when first talking about it. Your senior year is so busy already. >> Yeah. For most kids, right? So, but I would say current sophomores, current juniors is who I'd like to open it up to. Uh, and if we can get things moving, I'd like to start meeting and getting people together first part of March. >> I think that sounds great and good luck everything. >> It sounds
024like it's a great program in the making. I definitely think it's got potential to fill a void. Um, not just for something different, but to reestablish connections between students and community businesses. Um, and it's a lot better to have the money going directly to something as opposed to, well, we need more money. It's like now they'll have someone where it's like, hey, you helped pay for this for me. I really appreciate it. And they can feel that stronger connection than just, you know, throwing more money in the pot, so to speak, to help out with something. Um, yeah, I think it's a great thing and yeah, uh, I think we definitely have to move this to the monthly meeting, uh, to put our stamp of approval on it and whatnot. And >> to speak one
025more time just on sponsorship levels because it is a big ass th $1,000. Why would I do that? Well, to do they're going to do a commercial, right? It would also mean when we create a royalty ambassador page, they would be full page ad in um the event program. They're going to get recognition throughout. You know, candidate number one probably gold level sponsor by Paul Yim or you know whoever it's going to be continued. Um they gold level sponsors add that thousands also can request two times a year where they want royalty to come and be a part of an event that they're hosting, right? and be there. Um, they'll also after royalty if their candidate gets crowned and is on the royal court, they'll get a professional framed photo delivered by the royalty to
026hang in their business proudly, you know, this royal court is proudly sponsored by, you know, so there's more that comes for those gold lever sponsors and it's all broken down on the sponsorship level sheets as well. So, >> do you solicit the sponsors? You will. >> Yeah, the committee will. Okay. Yep. It's not something that I think that the girls should do. I know other towns do. Hey, will you be my sponsor? Well, then you end up with, well, my aunt Carol who owns a daycare is going to sponsor me, you know. And there's nothing wrong with that. But I don't think kids need to be soliciting funds, not for something that they're going to earn anyways through what they do throughout the >> Awesome. Thank you, Amy. keep up the fantastic work and look
027forward to exciting updates in the future. Definitely. >> So then let's just be in touch. >> Yeah, they they're going to take it to the I just >> which is next Monday. >> Yeah, next Monday. >> I think it's important. >> No, I agree. >> Thank you. You're welcome. Thank you. I appreciate your time. >> Thank you. Have a good night >> now. All right. So, the next thing on the agenda is public comment. Don't happen to see any. Um before we move on to the next thing, I know there is a lot of um commenting in regards to some texts that the board has received and emails in regards to concerns over the talks uh in regards to referendum and uh budget consequences coming up. and that will be discussed in the meeting and
028hopefully some of those things will be if not all will be addressed at that time. Moving on, treasures report and referral. >> The end of December we were at we did have transferred from short-term debt 349,000 So remaining in the short-term debt as of December is 150. We still have 76,000 for the playground and we have 633,000 left in the capital referendum. And on the payment, the last payment that I made through total mechanical um the balance to finish plus retainage is 316,500. So >> maybe this is on there all the time and I just it just stood out at me this time, but what is WX gas cards? It's um so remember we used to have holiday gas cards. We switched over to >> they're just credit cards for gas. Got it. And hopefully
029was it J uh end of this month, start of next month, we might be looking at some tax money coming in. >> Yes, we did receive some in January. I didn't get them all yet, but a couple weeks left. So, and then in February, Anyone have any other questions for Laura in regards to this? Then we'll send it on to the monthly meeting to be voted on there. Thank you, Laura. on the new business. Dan, what you got? >> So, I guess I thought about the boiler first. So, they're not going to be put in this winter because they don't have time. So, they're going to be done this spring and but we were able to get an agreement that they were going to cover a significant amount of repairs that we need for 4,000
030but we decided that that was so we should it's I think it's somewhere around 7 to 10,000 in a cover of repairs and we haven't had any situ. >> So, there's no repairs that are going to be done right now, but if something changes, then they'll come in. >> They need to call them. They need >> Okay. They'll come and fix it. They'll have time to come fix it and they're going to cover it because they don't have time to come to replace. Okay. >> Something's pretty sensitive. I mean, in reality, when it's one below, you really shouldn't be replacing boys. >> Yeah. Right. >> Right. Not the time of year, probably. >> Yeah. >> But anyway, so we got them through. >> It's going to be done this spring and they're going to cover.
031>> Do we have a kind of a tenative time frame? Like spring's kind of vague. >> The guy I talked to said April. Okay. >> I mean, as far as I'm concerned, they might as do it in the summer then. >> Okay. cuz then nobody's >> wait till June when the kids are gone >> issue. So >> go we'll discuss it when we get to that point. >> Okay, sounds good. >> The boilers they already they have them. >> Okay. >> Um generator um I believe it's it's supposed to be in by the end of this supposed to receive it. They talked about having orange and concrete last week. I was like, "Yeah, just throw it out." I mean, we had all the cleared out of there and everything, but >> and then I they
032also said that they're going to go ahead and build the wall because they said it would just be easier for them to to make it because so we don't have to worry about asking job class to do that. Um, the roof error handler and the univvent got fixed over Christmas break. >> It's all better now. >> Yeah. >> This was that in fixing the smell? >> No. Right. >> That's right. >> I haven't smelled it. We have a residence. >> Okay. >> Good. Good. Okay. >> Yeah, that's cool. >> That's the girls locker room that got fixed. >> The No, that's the the air handler on top of the boys locker room. Okay. >> They put that heater in there >> and they have to replace a motor. Um heat wheels got those got fixed.
033So, that's been working issues. Um, and then the air unit vent in the science room that froze the coil that got replaced. And he sound he told me that they might be able to repair it. Then we can have it for a spare. >> He was there and pressure tested, but the spots where he it was like two two or three spots where there were the cracks or move out and those were spots where you could actually get in there and fix it. So they So hopefully they can fix that and then we'll have a a spare on hand. Um the the leak in the high school that we had during that rain. So I had all the sheet metal come out and it would and it's basically it's basically a down. So, do you
034have the high school? You have the the shop. Well, it it's the shop is higher probably four feet higher than the high school rope. So, there's like little there's two down spouts. They call them scuffers. There's two down spouts on that rope. Well, whoever installed them did not finish behind them. So, there's a big hole in the block behind So when you get, you know, big rain or melts like that, it just fills the spout and then the water gets right behind it and goes down down into the school. So they're going to replace them, but it's not going to be covered because it was basically an installation. It wasn't what it wasn't a rope replacement problem. It was whoever installed it in the 70s or whatever it was didn't do it right. So, but
035that was like 3,200. >> When when they come out to look at those, could they look at our other the down spouts that are surface mounted at the bottom to get the extra cap put on those to extend that water out as well so it's not dripping down the buildings? >> Can't do that ourselves. >> What do you What do you mean exactly? >> The downspout on this side in front of the middle school, there's one in the courtyard where the garden is. fun if it were PVC. >> Yeah, because there's a cap that could go on there that gives a a spout that takes it further away from the building. >> I can ask. I don't know if that's >> I don't know if they handle the downspout aspect, right? I just I don't
036know where you'd order those >> potential. >> I don't know cuz I don't know the name of them, but maybe they would know the name of them, >> whatever the caps are cuz it's it's similar. It seems like that construction piece was never finished with that additional. It's a metal piece. I've seen them on other buildings before. >> That might help that brick from >> Were those leaks for the time? Is that part of the area where it was just re-roofed? >> Yeah. >> Okay. I just I mean again it wasn't like on the new roofers, but part of me is like, did they see it? Did they realize at the time that there was an issue? And it's too bad if they had like could you just give us a heads up and tell
037us? >> It's hard to know. I told them that we had issues there >> and he said he'd make sure that they were >> addressed but not really >> so they must not >> just didn't look >> okay >> look inside and say oh I mean you'd have to look a little bit I mean that would be something you're kind of looking for >> okay >> I mean if you're just looking for cracks or gaps then you're not really going to see it >> okay thanks Dan clarifications >> and uh we did have a lot of ice out here before that I got off the sidewalk. So, the issue with that is basically that spout that comes out by the middle school >> that was just running with water. So, that ran down there and
038then also the melt behind that wall. It just kind of followed the wall down. So, it all came right where that hydrant's at. >> So, that's where we had all that ice there. Well, Kevin, the only fix for that really is to run that spout around. >> Yeah, >> which we have done with all the other spouts. It would just be a pain to do. >> That is really the only one. >> Yeah, >> my guess is that's the only one that the village would tell us we have to, >> right? Is it going to rain? >> Could we do like I mean is there It's probably not completely but a way that we could just do it ourselves and do like drain tile or like a rain garden type thing that it's you're putting
039in like >> so that something sandy so like d like more of a drain some rock. We're just digging up putting some some rocks putting some >> that is a big grassy area out there. >> It's just a I mean when there's when it's running it's full. I mean, there's that much water coming out of that. >> So, I mean, you could dig a big hole and put a bunch pour over. >> It's still just >> it's going to fill up very quickly. >> Yeah. >> It's a lot of gallons. >> The only way you can handle it is if you stick it in the ground and run it, then you're not going to see it. And even then, you might still see it. It might, you know, >> bubble up. >> Yeah. the others
040right by the door >> what it is >> and then we don't have any hot water in night school right now. >> We have a it's a boost it's basically a booster hot water heater which is in where the old boiler was and the the blower motor went out on it. So, I was able to find one $1,200 and Bet County Plumbing said they can they came out and found out what the problem was because it just wasn't heating. So, >> and they said they can they couldn't get one, but they'll install it. So, >> so I was just waiting to get the part and let them know replace it. I mean, the the hot water heater is in really good shape. I mean, it's over 12 years old, but it's really good condition. >>
041How much it is to install it? >> No, I'm assuming it's probably I don't think it'll take them very long. $500. They charge you mean something that needs to be fixed. Another we did replace a hot water heater few years ago. Now we still have another one, but they're both the old one still running. So my my brush on the skid chair for brushing sidewalks is not going to make another year. So >> what's going on? >> We don't have to. It's basically just wore out. I mean it was >> the bristles were that long. Now they're about that long. So, is it a part that gets replaced or the >> You can take it apart. You can take the brush off and put a new brush brush on. So, that's what we're looking to
042do. Okay. >> Yeah. I mean, >> let's price it out and see. >> Yeah. I mean, I don't know. I don't know what the difference between a brush and or just trade that in and get a I don't know what that would be. >> Okay. >> Either way, it would still cost more. I would assume it was so costly to, you know, trade it in and get a hold of himself, but >> well, find out how much it's going to run us and we'll go from there. Hold on. I got >> All right. >> Questions? >> Anyone got anything else for Dan right now? No. >> Thank you very much, sir. >> Keep up the fight. Yep. On to the next thing. >> We just need to do that over to cal or open or
043regular I mean >> for what >> the generator? >> I think it's just an update. >> Yeah, I think it's just an update. >> Any questions about the forms and that and I took it back to Tiffany and she did some research. >> No, about the generator with Dan's part because that was after Yeah. No, this next thing. Yeah. You guys want me to pay for this? >> Can we decide that tonight? Is that something that needs to be a regular vote on it at the next meeting? But what what is in our budget allotted amount for capital? Not that much. >> No. >> So we don't have an option to pay for it out of even what we've budgeted. >> No. I think it's going to have to come through the >> the capital
044>> referendum. >> And like I said, >> it is within the grounds of where the playground went. >> Say that again. >> We'll still have 316,000 >> with this coming out. >> Oh, okay. Not including or Okay. Before this. All right. So, we should take that to the whole meeting to the vote. >> Let's take it to the monthly to vote on where we >> Okay. >> want the pay for that to come out of. Now, on to free and reduced. >> Yeah. I'm sorry. >> Yeah, we were talking about those forms and there were some questions about those and she was doing some research on that. So she did a little followup and you'll see that in here and uh gave some explanations for the for that. Um >> so so basically they don't
045do much for us >> much the title one piece you can see um but DPI didn't give much information more than that but I assume the title piece does um I mean I can ask more and go more in depth. Is this just because we have free lunches now or is this in the norm? But if we were paying for like there these forms are more important when we're >> they are we need we need them when we have to pay. Okay. Right. >> They are for us >> but I don't know that's what we're trying to figure out. Like to me it sounds like DPI even if we entered them >> doesn't really care like other than and I don't know what when they say title one I'm not sure how much they factor
046that in there. I'm not not sure >> if it's not worth the time. I mean because this is not an electronic form right now. So it's manually entered by someone. So that's yes an extensive amount of time to manually enter all these. It seems better to just keep collecting them in case there's a change in the future where we would need them. But file them in the drawer. I mean one of these other luck says that's what they do. They just put them in a cabinet and they're there. Um, but if there's a way to to better canvas everyone to get them to be filled out so we have them and we're not trying in the future to start collecting them again. >> But even established meal eligibility >> that we were looking into this
047was the number of economically disadvantaged on our school report. But this doesn't tell us how many were filed previously, how many are filed now, what percentage of our students >> or if they're using this doesn't tell us >> what do you want me to to duplicate to >> I think we had wanted to know originally how much difference is there >> like how many were there >> in 23 24 how many were there 24 25 how many were there this year is that where that number is coming from what we ultimately want to know is where that number is coming from because the number of economic disadvantaged kids. >> Yeah. Does not seem to have decreased. >> So by that huge percentage starting with DPI would be where are you pulling the number from before
048we try to get all the the numbers of the forms because they're the ones that are >> we get this number from >> but that is where we knew that that is where that number originally came from. How they're getting that number now we don't know. >> Right. And maybe they're pulling it just out of >> clearly this lady doesn't know either because >> they don't that doesn't do established meals and it's not allowable cost. So >> well and the I mean the confusing part is is if we're not filing these then how do we know we're qualified? >> I just always was wondering where DPI got the number and I still don't see an answer. >> Right. Well, and that's just I mean that's what they're saying is we want to find out where
049DPI is finding the number from first of all, but second of all, when we're looking at, you know, how we qualify for these food programs such as the free meals or the reduced ones, if we're not filling out this form that we used to fill out for all the reduced, then how do they know we qualify for the free? Now, you know, what what are we filling out or what are we putting in that they're recognizing we qualify for it then? And maybe there's somebody I mean, the the person that she got the information from is the nutrition program consultant at BPI. Is that who this person is? Is there Yes. Okay. So maybe there's someone within the report card arm of DPI. >> Okay, we'll we'll dig deeper. >> We'll we'll dig deeper. >>
050But also in a similar vein with this that the question was put forth by the board of costwise, is the free saving us more money than the reduced program and vice versa? >> Is it worth the cost? Like we know it's not saving us, but is it worth >> continuing having free reduced lunches for all >> free lunches for all, not just reduced um economically for the whole school? >> And is that a yearby year or a fiveyear? What was that agreement or what was the state? So like a fiveyear like grant type thing for the three launches anybody remember? >> I think it's a yearbyear. >> Year by year. Okay. So, we may not even get anything there, >> but most that get on the program when we went on it were it it's
051difficult to get off of it. Like, it would be unlikely, Tiffany said, that we'd ever get off of it due to the number of students that's already just automatically for free and reduced lunch without having any additional paperwork turned in. >> I know we'd have to go back to charging on families again >> and that was a concern from the economic standpoint. >> Yeah. >> Right. I know that was a debate back and forth whether to do it or not. >> No, I think it's good to have reduced with everything going on right now. Plus, those are always >> Well, we always it was always, you know, not enough money in accounts anyways. So, unfortunately for some. So, I'd rather make sure our kids are getting fed and food. Though, we did talk about some
052of those not having the funds in there. There might be a better way of collecting the money. We don't have an electronic payment program right now. And if we had that, we might have a better chance of sometimes >> possibly too easier for families to pay. >> Yeah, possibly. I just >> I think the free is good and I are we utilizing much with that extra account we opened for addition funds for the students that I know. Was it the Lions Club put somebody put five or >> notary? What something you're a part of Kevin? I feel like you guys um are we util are we having students utilize that? Are they aware like you know that they can go ahead and do the the second >> I mean >> bills for it. >> Yeah.
053That would be >> okay. I mean, if one of you could just ask her, make sure we're like maybe just send an email to our students that they're aware of that. >> As soon as you say there's free food available, they're going to Or maybe just remind the lunch staff that like they know the students that probably want. >> I guess I can only speak for middle school cuz that's when I'm down there. I know that she knows and I know that she's using I don't know how they're funding it. I don't know that's >> they're using it. The bills need to go back to Laura. and see if I just give it to >> Oh, okay. I just want to make sure like we're keeping steady like I you know that when the bill
054turns in it's not $1,000 and then you're scrambling to find that extra 500 if you only have five. >> So, all right. Oh, was you all right? Aside from fishing down some more questions. Anything else in regards to this? Moving on. CISA 11. >> Right. You guys asked me to contact CISA regarding what kind of review they could do of our program. Um so I did do that. I reached out to me. So they have services in place potentially that um schools even around us utilize. Luck uses them. Birchwood, um Harry Farm, but before any types of services were um potentially offered, if they'd like to come in and do uh an overview of what's happening and just I think it would really help us on our side as the board just understand a little
055bit more of the processes of how things are entered and payroll and I mean all those things that you guys are doing behind the scenes. Maybe it would help be a little bit more um transparent to us. So, they wanted to do a 3-day review of um how services are currently being run, and it would be $800 a day for them to come in and talk with staff um view the processes and then give us a report after the fact. >> So, we're asking them to come in and review just to see like what are we hoping to get out of this? >> This would just be our baseline. Are there um places that we could have um more efficiency put in place? Um are there areas that we're doing really good and other areas
056that we could use some improvement on? Um you know, it's school finances are incredibly odd to me, right? And so I don't even know all the answers that they'll be able to give us. Um they are licensed business managers. Um, >> do they have a can they share with us a report from one of the other school districts that that like what we'd be generating getting from this? >> I'd like to see what potentially they would be giving us >> before. I mean, it's not a huge cost, but I also feel like it's a disruption to our I feel like there's a lot of negatives potentially and I don't know that we're going to get a lot of con. I'm not saying we're not, but and I think I missed that discussion that you guys
057had with you calling because I think it was probably on the last meeting that I wasn't at, the last regular meeting, because I don't know how you're talking. >> I think it it could be an advantage in um comparables from other districts is what I think, but I agree with you. I would like to see what we're actually going to get out of it too for the money. >> Yeah. I mean, if they just did I mean it'd be great. Oh, I mean Prairie I mean Birchwood I guess too. I'm just more familiar with Prairie Farm and law. So, >> and then my other question is, did we ever get the written statement from the audit? >> Usually when I've been involved in audits, there's recommendations and what's going well, what's not, and what the
058recommendations for change are. Do we get that? >> Yeah, it's sitting in my office. I just got them last week. >> Okay. Can you forward that to us? >> We normally offer them to the board. I mean, >> yeah, I feel like we've seen them in the past. >> Yeah. >> Right. But we haven't gotten one this year. That's >> just She just got it. So, yeah. >> Yeah. >> Is it something that needs to happen? It takes a while to get them. That's why I was wondering if we had even got it. >> Do we need to just Is there anything for us to discuss? We need to have it on the regular >> put the agenda or I'm just curious just knowing that next week is the regular meeting. I don't know if
059that's something that needed to be added to agenda for next week or just an email for us to see. >> I think we'll start with an email. >> Read through it if we need to discuss. >> We can start with an email most certainly. And then from there, we could always move it to the next cow as well if we wanted to dig into it. Um, yeah. So, let's go with that then. >> Thank you, Katie, for reaching out to CISA and getting information. >> Yeah, once you find out more, I think we'll be be able to make a better decision in regards to that. All right. No one has anything else for that. Moving on to referendum timeline and discussion. >> So how do we want to start this? >> Well, I I think
060you guys had asked for um scenarios for 1.4 1.6 1.8, right? that >> I think Laura put those together and then included those of us. He's here. I think that's where it all started. >> Okay. >> Do we have a spring primary? We're basically looking at the spring general. >> There's no primaries currently in the >> Okay, I think you had said that. >> Oh, okay. file resolution by 127. So we we need a vote on when we having the special meeting after the one tonight to vote on if we're going to put it on this spring ballot or not and what we're putting on the ballot. No, no, we had talked about reductions in close session last time and Laura had put them on on the docket. We had talked about that length, but
061I think for open session purposes, I know what your thoughts were on that. Um, >> I don't think we need to discuss the specifics of what's included in each change as of yet because nothing's been completely nailed down. Um, and that's not an intention to hide anything from the public. It's just we don't have all of beet cancers yet of what areas we're looking to make reductions in. Um I think we would I know we would have that information when we start having public meetings and going out to the towns to speak about them. Um but I'd hate to have anyone learn about a potential reduction through a meeting like this instead of in a more private setting. >> Okay. Well, this is the reality. >> No time. >> We basically are either going to
062make some minimal changes or we're going to make some drastic changes. And those drastic changes are going to infect the entire school all the way from elementary up to middle and high school. And as it stands now from the numbers we got this last week and this week, I mean, we're looking at a 1.5 1.6 roughly million deficit if we do nothing. Um, and that completely wipes out the fund balance and puts us back in the hole by was it 5600,000 >> some change. >> And you know that's if we do nothing. That means if we try and keep the school the way it is, going the way it is. um and make no changes. We're we're going to be dealing with that. how we went from one number to this number. I'm still kind
063of befuddled by and a little bit flabbergasted by uh maybe the projections are just getting better as time goes on or >> um >> I mean if we made zero changes, we would not empty out our fund balance until the 2930 school year. No, it shows base scenario no changes, no referendum, we would be in the whole $500,000, >> but we have the fund balance to cover those expenditures out. >> No, that is with the fund balance. The fund balance would be gone and we would be 500 in the hole. I think in case you're looking at different >> This was the one we just saw last week. >> Yeah, but they sent new. >> It's not the one we're looking at tonight. >> Yeah. You pull up here. I don't know what's changed and
064I'm going to leave. >> Okay. >> Is different >> and and I get that the changes are going to be very specific due to specific positions and once class scheduling is completed that we'll have the exa exact dollar figures. Until then, I know these are going to continue to go up and down and up and down. >> So, all the ones will last. We do not have any referendum dollar. >> That's what I'm saying. >> The top the top here on every single one. And the fund balance at the end of this year is a million dollars. >> I don't know what you're looking at either. This gray line, >> they're upside down. >> You have to look at page two before page one. >> That's 1.4 with no changes. >> Yes. >> But none
065of mine. Those are all with >> second panty. >> Yeah, they're in there backwards for the scanned in portion, >> but they're all showing with the referendum money. >> Green does not go negative >> with referendum money. Those are all with referendum money. That's why I'm saying if there is no referendum >> any >> and we don't have that one. >> Oh, we don't have it. That's what he was looking at. >> This is from last week >> that showed. >> Yeah. If we have no referendum money at all and we make no changes. >> Okay, >> that's what we're looking at is we're >> looking at a deficit of 1,576 for this upcoming school year. >> Which would wipe out the fund balance. >> Yes. >> And bring us down to in the whole
066of $57,000. That's no changes at all. Now, realistically, if we got a referendum for say 1.8, as you can see from the worksheets, that pretty much covers up the difference. But yet again, these referendums are only set out to be for a three-year period. They're not set out to be any longer than that. >> No. But that greatly does improve our fund balance and allows us to float ourselves beyond the referendum. >> Yes. time frame or allows us to make some sort of scenario three that's in between these two changes because we have more than in fund balance for uh retaining staff instead of reducing. I guess at the end of the day, we have to decide how much we think the voting public wants things to change within the school versus how much they
067wish to pay in in tax dollars. >> From what I've been reading through different school districts and just kind of state norms, rural schools try to keep a 20 to 25% fund balance, >> right? Metro schools tend to be more towards the 10 to 15% fund balance. So, if that helps us in looking at those fund balance numbers, um I don't know, that was helpful to me to think about it as that percent as as our goal potentially across the board for any of these. That's also going to require changes It would require changes, not sticking with no no changes to keep us up above the 20%. >> Well, it just seems like we're stuck in a never- ending referendum cycle. >> Mhm. >> And that's really frustrating. And I know that this referendum buys
068us time. But other than that, and it just it gets us through and buys us time for the next. >> It does. It it could allow us to put ourselves in a better position if we are to start more strongly looking for the consolidation of two. If we can, if our debts do a minimum, we're going to be a better partner if we move towards that side of play. And that might be the time that we're buying here. Now the thing of this also that has to be taken into consideration is I know there's probably a lot of uh property owners who already don't want to pay more in their taxes and I think we can all relate to that. The one thing we I would ask that they would try to keep in mind
069though is if we don't get a referendum approval, we'll make whatever of course cuts, changes we have to to keep the doors open. And I it it would be a lot and it would be very drastic and I think it would diminish a ton of opportunities for our students. But also, if we were to go down that road of uh disillusion or um combining with another district, I want those taxpayers also to keep in mind there's a good chance we would be taking on another district's tax burden as well. So, if we don't go for a referendum here, if we don't get one approved, okay, but if We Webster goes for one and they get one approved and the other districts around go for one and they get one approved and Siren consolidates or no
070longer exists, wherever your new district would fall in, you would then have to be paying for their referendum. So, we have to all I ask is that the voters keep it in mind where do you want your dollars to go? Do you want them to go to this school or do you not want to have a say and end up paying for something somebody else already decided on? It's a horrible situation no matter which way you look at it. But that's why this whole process is going to be us finding out from the public what do what do the voters want to do? Do they want to keep the doors of the siren district open or not? Because no matter what, if we go to the extreme to make the cuts, even half of the
071money that it would take to alleviate this deficit, the school is going to end up losing out on a lot of programs that I think we want our children to have that we want to give the students those possibilities to participate in. So, >> and keeping in mind it doesn't have to be all or nothing. It's not we're either open or we're closed. I mean, that's why the state has opened up whole grain sharing. That's why they're sending out more incentives and information on consolidation. So, it's not really fair to say if they want the doors to close. I mean, I do think that there are people out there that would like to see us considering a transition to a different type of of structure. I don't think it's about open or close. And I
072I have heard a lot of people, you know, we've been compared to Webster. It's it's not a fair comparison. And people saying they haven't had a referendum in 10 years where we've had six in 10 years. And I mean, are we going to stick in this cycle of going from referendum to referendum, referendum, or are we going to find somehow that we can build some revenue? >> Well, it's a combination. You can't just build revenue out of thin air. Our school district lines are ridiculous. So, we can't even compare ourselves to Webster when Webster is the size that they that they are. And I would say they're even taking some from Siren based on how the the lines are drawn. And what the community wants isn't something we can give them right now. It is
073out of our hands. >> I understand. Well, >> what what so many people want are the ones that are barking up the tree that are non-stop, you know, demanding changes. Those changes cannot happen. And that's not the fault of anybody. It just is what it is. It's past boards. So, >> yeah. And there's timelines and there I mean there there are a lot of factors. I honestly don't know what the community wants. And I think the best way to find out what the community wants is to go to a referendum. >> We'll find out one way. >> Go to a referendum and the community makes the decision. The taxpaying public, the voting public needs to make a decision which direction we're going. >> Absolutely. >> I don't feel like seven of us sitting here, >>
074I don't feel like we can make that decision. >> No, >> we don't have the information from the public. >> But they need to have as much information as we can possibly give them. we've had a balanced budget >> 100% and that something they're frustrated about. Right. Every single year we've had a balanced budget. >> So that it it's that this isn't a spending problem. Um it's been an income problem. The fact that our fund balance has been depleted down so low uh and that if we can work towards getting that fund balance back there, then we're going to be better able to handle the ups and downs of the cash flow. I mean, it's scary to think to try to cut more. We can't operate without a superintendent. We can't operate without a principal.
075We need a finance. Like, we need teachers. We already are bare minimum in high school and middle school. I mean, especially high school with teachers because of this teaching shortage. Like, there's so many things that it's like, I don't know what people expect us to cut that we can logistically cut and continue to offer our students a a school besides a building and maybe a safe place for some of them, >> right? And I don't want to do a disservice to our kids by scaling down to nothing, which is the direction we're headed. >> We're too close to it already with the way our budget is. I mean, it's >> like Katie said, this has just been a downward spiral just because we don't have the income coming in >> and the more students we
076have, the more income goals, >> more revenue. >> But if you keep looking into it, it's basically the 1.8, right? Like that. Oh, I thought you were trying to say like cut it. That's And even like Tom said, I think for all of us are like >> Yeah. And I think that's the crazy thing is is we didn't we haven't been as But >> yes, we've settled for what that we thought public would support >> and has never been what we need. And if we get what we need, we can make >> the the proper adjustments in the school to make that money work best for the taxpayer and for the students, >> right? >> Yeah. And hopefully we can retain the t-shirts that we need. >> I mean, we are Why would we buy
077one year? >> That doesn't make any sense. We're going to have to go bigger and they're going to have to decide. >> A month is is significant money, but also skip a dinner out one one month and you're paying for the the school to stay open. So just to give everyone a better idea of things, it's not just the it is expenses, but it's also because of cost increases, not just the expenses like we're buying more things like that. It's just the fact of >> the expenses of things have increased so drastically and the revenue coming in has changed so drastically. Um, back in August, we were projected for 2026 2027 school year that we'd be getting 7 million in revenue and we'd only have 7.5 million in expenses, which is still a deficit, mind
078you. But then by the time even just recently here or even when the whole budget was signed off, there was almost a $900,000 shift from 300 lak of 300 going coming going coming in and 600 going out. And now we're looking at the next 2026 2027 school year. and it went from 7 million down to 600 or 6,300. So that's a $700,000 difference just right there of money coming in. While the money going out is up by roughly 300. So the mo even though we're not making any big staffing changes, even though we're not really doing anything in regards to added expenditures, the cost of everything just continues to rise and we're ending up having to fight with so much of that. And that's how we end up with now a projected deficit of 1.5
079next year if we don't do anything. Now, that's just what's projected right now. That's not even come August. That's, you know, not even when we finalize the budget in October, you know. So, this could just this number I don't picture it getting smaller anytime soon. So, when we look at this and you see the 1.4 4 and we go, okay, well, if we make chunk, if we make, you know, cuts to the elementary, okay, we're back in the black. We'll be fine with 1.4, you know, if we go to one, but then that's only for basically a year from these projections. And at this point, I mean, no offense, but this whole projection thing is feeling more and more like a crapshoot every time I look at these damn numbers because they keep changing and
080the the disparagement between the revenue and the cost is only increasing more and more. So, I can't help but think once yeah, August comes around and we're looking at these numbers again, it's going to be greater than 1.5. And if we don't go for that larger ask, even if we make those cuts to say the elementary side of things, we're still going to be coming up short right away and we would have just gone to referendum. So he almost would have defeated the purpose in itself for going to begin with. So yeah, I mean with the numbers they that we get from Bear and the way they change all the time, it's like yeah, 1.8 made like Jamie said, like Cory said, like Paulie, you know, it we're going to need to go for that
081bigger amount, but at the same time, is that even going to be enough at this point? I I just don't know. >> I think we as a school have done what we've been able to do with every budget that we've been given. Like, it's going to be a balanced budget. If that's what we have, then that's what we have. So, I wouldn't say that we have any history of going into a school year not making it balanced, >> but we ended up with a deficit last year. >> We did. And we made it balanced by a $2 million loan and extending >> the short-term borrowing. >> We're not balancing it on our own facts. No, we're balancing it on >> No. But this offers us a better opportunity to do those things. >> I mean,
082if we really want to get out of the hole, if we really want to have a bright future for this district with options for the students that are viable, we're we're going to have to do both. We're going I believe we're going to have to go for the bigger ask of 1.8 eight and we are going to have to look at some reductions the ones that make more sense I'd say than the elimination of you know possibilities for our mill and high school if possible because I think everyone agree we need to be creating more possibilities instead of taking them away but Those are just my opinions on all this. And yeah, I just it's a horrible situation and it's going to be up to the voters at the end of the day. I'll get
083off my stump if anyone wants it. But if we're good for now and want to discuss any further at the meeting that follows this one, we can more than do so. Everyone's good for the moment. We'll move on. >> Just uh just in regard to the timeline, so I talked to Corals and Brady, our U bond council. So you'll see for the next meeting I think in tonight there is a resolution in there ballot language. I don't if you saw that. >> So and there's a blank in there to do that. So I asked her about the timeline that's what I'm talking about. So if you guys decide on an amount tonight that can be put in there. And then they said there are several districts on Monday or uh on the 27th who are
084actually turning their stuff in. And on Monday the 26th, they're filling out the resolutions and all the paperwork. So if we actually did it on Monday, our regular meeting, it would work providing you have a meeting, like if there were weather or something like that. So >> we have a meeting set up tonight. >> Yeah, we're doing that tonight, aren't we? >> So So what I'm saying though is so there's more paperwork than just the ballot piece there. So there's a ballot piece with an amount and if that's approved tonight, I'll go ahead and get that to uh our bond council and Brady. And then there may be um other resolutions that need to go on the agenda >> and that is prepared by just so it's public and I was worried about that when
085I asked for the three days. She said it's okay as long as you have a meeting on Monday it could be turned around for the deadline on Tuesday because several other districts are doing the same thing we're doing tonight. >> Gotcha. Okay. Okay. >> I was worried that if we did it on Monday, it might not be enough time, but they said it was okay to do the rest of the resolutions and things like that. So, this is the ballot language that's determined and then there are resolutions that need to be signed and then there's a a document that shows the vote uh that's written in there. That's all this the rest of the paperwork and all that can be done on Monday. Okay. >> Just just so you know there's more paperwork that has
086to come but the decision with the mount can be made and then we'll go from there tonight. >> That's what I was worried about and I checked with them. Lisa was on the call. It's okay if we do it on Monday with the rest of the resolutions. >> Yeah. Yeah, as long as we have a qual and she was just worried that we wouldn't have due to the weather or something like that. So that's what I was worried about with this little leaky time. >> Okay. >> Anything else in regards to this at this time? All right. If not, I'm looking for a motion to convene in the close session under Wisconsin state statute 19.851 CEFG to consider employment, promotion, compensation, or performance evaluation data of any public employee over which the government of Balia
087has jurisdiction or exercise the responsibility considerations of financial, medical, social, or personal information and to confer with legal counsel who is running oral or written advice. >> I'll make that motion most likely. Motion by Corey, seconded by Kelly. Uh during this close session, there will be a discussion of the resignation of a volleyball coach which falls under C and F and there is a personnel update which falls under B, C, and F. Any discussion in regards to those? All right, Corey, take the role, please. >> Holly, >> yes. >> Cory, yes.