001Still for the pledge of allegiance. We didn't want, but we'll do it again. I pledge algiance to the flag of the United States of America for its one nation under God, indivisible, liberty, and for all. >> We have Carrie remotely and Courtney remotely. Thank you for joining us remotely. Um they wanted so we have a full board here tonight. Thanks everybody and thanks for hanging in through the board finance meeting. Um it makes for a long night. If if you didn't get or didn't open my email um I'd like to do kind of an abbreviated um agenda tonight as much as we can. Uh there are a couple of things that you can just pass on for tonight and do another night. Um I think we can certainly do the minutes. I asked the student
002rep. Um maybe he couldn't. We can just read it and he not attend tonight. Um I'm sure the superintendent is going to be brief on his report. Um >> I actually don't have a really brief. Do you want a motion? I motion. >> No, I just want to be four, five, six, seven, and eight. >> Oh, okay. I would second that motion. >> There you go. >> Okay. Motion was made to table four, five, six, seven, and eight. Is there a second? Uh Betsy seconded. All those in favor? >> I opposed. Okay. Uh Jessica's remote because she sounds like I did last week. Is not so high. So, um, so we tabled five as well, so we're not going to do minutes. Okay, I'm good with that. So, we're on >> motion to table everything
003down to next time. >> Yeah, they'll just carry over to the next time. That's not a big deal. Of course, if we keep talking about it, we could have just approved and it'll be done. Okay. old business uh fiscal year 27 budget. I think everybody kind of got a live view of what's going on with the budget, but Patrick, I'm sure has an update. >> Um I uh I the memo that that was referenced for those that were in attendance and everyone may have been in attendance. Honestly, I wasn't really scanning the room, so I apologize if I was saying something for the second or third time. You've heard it tonight already. Um um uh the entire board of ed was CCed on that on that correspondence. Um I uh um anticipation of not um
004knowing what was going to happen uh last night with the uh budget and wanting to be prepared. Um uh we had a meeting uh scheduled between myself, Ryan um uh Denise's chair and uh Norine as vice chair and chair of the finance subcommittee. Um uh so much of the work was uh uh beforehand with um uh uh the leadership team. Um as I indicated, we did reduce uh two positions. One was the second nurse at the middle school. Um prior to COVID, we only had uh one nurse. Um as you can imagine, um uh CO and postcoid uh numbers have been particularly high. They are still higher to be clear um today than they were pre- pandemic. They have been trending down. We would like to have seen those numbers. >> Number for what? >>
005Nurse visits. Sorry. >> Oh gosh. Yep. Number of nurse visits. Um um we also take in account um we have a high number um although that seems to be a slight decline um um uh as far as uh diabetics uh within the school system as well too um which uh impacts uh nursing as well too. Um so at this time um obviously it will increase um but we felt on base trends and looking at everything um that was the best option available um um to reduce uh by eliminating a second nurse and also um and when I say starting next year the position is still intact um uh that being said I mean nursing get a job anywhere and they did so I'm not even sure they're going finish the year um we have the
006resignation Um, so it's unclear if they'll even finish with us this year. And that uh we eliminated the 504 coordinator, vocational uh coordinator at at the high school. Um um and we had to move in that direction to be clear because our 3.43 43 had changed in reality to 4.16 uh because we had an increase in the last projections from our honor medical by an additional 48,000 and then we had two special ed um outplacements um that was approximately 162,000. Um so we were already moving in the wrong direction. Um so even if it passed we were still um um not in in the right. So it felt like and being fairness to employees too notice versus waiting till um uh late May, early June and uh moving in that direction. Um um so I
007I can certainly ask uh answer any question. I can ask questions too but I can certainly answer any questions if uh the board has questions. Um, >> I just have one question. It's just it's it's just probably it's a budget question from before. So, when we finish and I know you're pretty much done, Ryan, with some of the stuff, you know, with all the projections. When we're done, are we still looking at about the same monies bottom line that we have at the end of the school year? >> So, I just we're we're nearing the end. I still am going to do a deep dive for the June projections just >> probably two weeks I'd say he's probably two weeks away from having that number but it's kind of close still >> uh as best
008I can tell so far nothing stands out but I don't want to you know it or anything I mean plenty of bills and all we're chasing >> okay >> balloon payments for another thing we're monitoring is it's o open enrollment it's funny I was asking Ryan about open enrollment in the town if they have to do it because >> um and open enrollment um is through the end of May. So essentially what that means is anyone who who well everyone whether you take benefits or or not you and um you have to fill out the form as far as your intent for next year. >> Um so for example I do not take our medical on my wife's but I still had it put on I'm declining it for next year. >> Um so everyone
009fills that out. Once we have that one digital we'll do another analysis. we will put the pressure on them to get that the first week of uh June 8th in hopes that you know that um has a favorable outcome based on possible changes. >> Thank you. >> We have over 200 employees that quite a few of them change every year in open enrollment. So >> yeah. >> And is there any money left in the set aside money in the 2% fund over there? Do is there stuff left in that in that um fund? >> 2% fund. >> Yeah. Uh it's I mean it should be uh pretty close to fully funded but we are like doing that intentionally to offset next year's budget. >> Right. Okay. That that was my question. But I Yeah, but
010we pretty much we we use some of that money for this a little bit of for this this this budget season. Are you >> We did too, but we're not going when we instituted the budget freeze that that changed the >> Okay. >> Um um essentially >> anticip Again, unless something drastic, yeah, you should not have to withdraw any of that funds. Okay. Is that fair to say that's intentional? >> That gives us more of a cushion. >> Yeah. But also, >> we have the special ed. >> Yeah. Expenses that stuff that's coming up. That's Yeah. Okay. >> You should know that too by early June. Um that pending outplacement um if it was if the decision was made today, the student would be out placed. there's some outside circumstances. >> So, it's something we're
011monitoring. >> Yeah. >> Um >> that's an addition to the two >> the two that be a third one. So, that's why we're holding that large. >> So, that's why we're we're holding >> about 200,000 the 2% to cover that cost. Now, should that student not go out and without breaking any confidentiality or re revealing too much um um um then that would provide some increased flexibility. >> Okay. Thank you. >> Any other questions on this this coming budget? >> Okay. Does everyone understand that we're kind of whole at this point, right? We don't have at this point. >> Yeah. Well, we have made cuts. >> Yeah. I mean, we already made cuts >> with Yeah, >> we're okay at this point. >> So far, um I I I absolutely think this budget will not
012pass >> the next one. Second budget. >> So, we have to I know that Patrick and Ryan and his team are looking at the next step. Um, but it gets more challenging with every every step. Could I just make a suggestion as we think about this because I do in terms of what Mike said, >> could we um could we somehow get a plan together? And I know we've tried this before as far as but I think we need to be um not on the defensive but on the offensive as far as you know communicating >> who can write letters who can do things and really and truly >> as parents and citizens but not as board of ed members. >> Yeah. >> I actually the Donovan group gave me a one-page item. I can
013pull I I can send it out. Um um they gave a one pager as far as the dos and don'ts. It was per referendum, but it's very similar as far as advocating what you're doing. >> Um >> uh we have to be careful. >> Yeah. So you can't the answer is yes, but you can't do it as a board of ed. You can't do it on your board of ed computer. You can't do it like you know functioning. >> So there there are dos and don'ts. Um, but the Donovan group actually gave a really nice >> one pager and um >> and I can send that out. Um, what I'll do is I'll take a closer look at because again it was for the referendum. Um, they've been actually I have my running uh phone
014call with them uh tomorrow at 3. I will ask them if they could redesign us specifically for um like like uh budget vote because I think it would just >> and even if we could change if they gave a few different options, Patrick, I mean we could I mean that would be something that would be something you know could >> he's not talking about them drafting letters. He's talking about the guidelines for us to be able to follow. So understand you are a board member and in advocating for a budget you cannot advocate for people to come out to vote yes for uh as a board member. >> I can as an >> however your rights as a taxpayer don't go away. You can speak as a taxpayer but as as Patrick is cautioning you
015can't do it from your board of ed emails. You can't do it here. You can't stand up at a town meeting and say, "I'm a board of ed member and I want everybody to vote yes for the budget." But you can as a taxpayer. You can as a board of ed member be something out that says this is what we have accomplished. >> Only facts. >> These are just facts like this is the point. This is or whatever the reason is. You just cannot say please vote yes. You can you got to be careful how you word it. Oh, >> but I think >> but you can speak to that. Oh, as a board vet, >> but Patrick has has some guidelines that would be great. >> Yeah, it's a one pager. Um, they provided
016it. I'll have to um Oh, I >> um >> any other questions on the budget? >> Okay, we'll move on to the van purchase. want to update us on that? >> Um yes. So uh um so at the board of um uh selectman uh we did propose the use of uh the TMS lawsuit um funds um to um uh purchase uh one uh bus. Um, so they did approve up to the amount of the lawsuit which does cover and has a little extra um um to go forward. So the next would go to the board of finance. So, it goes back to them knowing that the board of selectman identified this as a funding source with their approval to access it um on a CNR account like as far as a capital non-reoccurring um account
017line um and then the board of finance assuming they approve it then it would go to town meeting in which it would be a vote and should it go uh get approved u then we could access it. So though unsure after it goes to the board of finance how long it would be before it went to town meeting. Um >> probably a couple >> board of finance will take it and send it back to the board of select >> to set a town meeting >> to set send to a town meeting. So >> board of finance will meet next week >> and then the week after board of select >> the week after that is the board of selectman. If the board of selectmen that they pick a date for the town meeting and then
018they and that has like a 15 day window on it because there need to be legal notices posted and whatnot >> and then it goes to a town meeting which is just a meeting over there where >> I was at one I was the only person I voted yes or I don't remember what it was but I was the only on the moon >> I don't remember what it was but I was the only vote. Well, quite often there are, but with the budget >> tipping point for that one, huh? >> With the budget being contentious at this point, we'll have to just keep an eye on the pulse of the community that they're not thinking cuz we all know that people exaggerate and change facts and all of that that they think that we're
019somehow spending money that where are they getting that money from? And you know, is this another trick by the board of ed to get extra? You know, we need to just be aware and make sure that we get people out there to vote for it. >> And again, that that proactive and I know Narin, a lot of times you have responded to some of the stuff, you know, so correcting the information is something that we can do or that that's, you know, that new food because that that information out there, the girls bathrooms are shut down and nobody can use them, right? Um, it was it was like wasn't at the best that Allison was sitting right there. I mean, it was dropped the mic there, >> but the big buff. Yeah. So, correcting those
020facts if we see them, too. >> Yes. Okay. Any other questions on the van? >> I know this isn't a great view, but this is kind of like what it is and Okay. It goes through as far as um what's allowed and not allowed. Um, >> awesome. So, what I'll do is I have a meeting with them. I'll have it actually um I think it's a easy revise specifically for a budget vote. I'll get the updated. I'll get it out to everyone by Friday. >> Good. Excellent. I think it's pretty much the same guidelines. >> Yeah. Yeah. I I don't think it it's it's just some like a >> movie refers to reference. >> Okay. New school projects. Do you want to speak to that or can you >> I think I don't I think
021we put a memo in here too where kind of where we are >> there's a memo >> um in summary in addition to uh the information um uh very disappointed to report um unfortunately we did not get any additional reimbursement um you will find out that South Windsor got an additional 40% for their high school andfield got uh fun additional funding for three schools schools. Um on top of that, we're still waiting for um um our uh state rep Foster as far as um uh was she able to secure um an extension to file um the grant application um along with uh getting um the space waiver for um uh uh the minimal um additional space that we are um requesting. Um, I mean, honestly, uh, it's been a while, so I'm thinking we, um,
022in legislative session's been over. I'm thinking those two did not take place, um, either. Um, we were exploring to see if we had placed a preschool program in the high school to complement a child. Um, um, uh, help me, Darl. Um, >> development. >> Thank you. Uh, development uh, class. uh would it um um essentially um would it be eligible for the additional 15% um for um reimbursement? And I got a response today that said it it's only pertains if you expand preschool at an elementary um >> up to grade seven I think it's >> yeah up to grade seven. So you could have a because I asked the question, well we do have elementary starting at fifth. Um and so the school can't go beyond the seventh grade. Um um so um we're really
023at this point it looks like um um we cannot go to referendum um this fall >> because we don't have an extension. Correct. I mean, we'd be going with the full dollar amount with the 63% uh reimbursement rate, but >> but again, we're waiting for um Jamie to give us clarification on exactly what happened and what we got or didn't get because we haven't heard. >> Yeah. And obviously, it's disappointing when you you start to hear what other districts are getting. >> Very and why. Yeah. Yeah, that doesn't >> I was curious about that, too. But we're waiting to figure out what made us different from like Enfield or those other communities. >> That's incorrect. >> Did we like to get money, too? >> Uh, they did priority. Their project's already like up near completion.
024>> Okay. Somefield got money. >> Somefield got waivers on their roof size. Yeah. I mean, when I when I spoke a lot of people >> Yeah. When I spoke to CSG, um uh they were shocked. I mean, that was his exact word. He said, "I'm shocked." He said, "Everyone gets something." >> Um and he said like, "I haven't heard where anyone didn't get anything." >> Um and he was uh uh specifically referencing Nor um Norwich, I believe. Um my understanding is they received quite a significant amount. Um and I just visited Torington where a Essentially, our model that we're looking at, middle school, high school, shared spaces in the middle, gorgeous new build, um was just completed in January 2025, so barely a year old. And uh their state reps help them secure 85% reimbursement.
025Um so, um so definitely have some questions and definitely have to kind of regroup and establish next steps. Any questions? Okay, we'll move on to um new business vote. Um there's a lot of information in the packet about this uh food reertification um or certification. Um interesting information. If I was a parent with kids in the school, um I would really like knowing about this stuff. But um Patrick Kato explains why we need that. >> Uh I'm going to defer to Ryan. Um >> and actually I know just cuz um uh so I by law we have to do this. So I can tell you um as far as the statement I think you have the statement correct. Uh >> yes you do. Well, don't we do it? >> You do. You have to do
026it every year. Um, we need it for our reimbursement. Um, otherwise we're out of compliance. Let me just bring um what pages I'm sorry. >> Um, yeah. And if you look at the bottom part of page 53 as far as the eligibility um uh again it has to take place prior to uh July 1st. Uh we do do it about this time um each year. I will say I think one year Fran you asked about what happens if we didn't do it. You did >> you're still alive >> and it requires the exact motion uh language. So, the law is very specific. Um, and I will tell you like, uh, the one department that has the most requirements, and Ryan can attest to this, is the USDA. Um, >> um, yeah, and just some background
027too, I I mean, I was actually just talking to someone at the state today on this. Um, so every year we have to re um, uh, certify our C eligibility. So, it's a community eligibility provision. So, that's how we, you know, keep our free and reduced lunch. Um so part of that this certification that you have in there basically um you know that has to be approved in order for me to finish the application which is due uh I believe July 1. Um so before they even let me um submit that this language has to be approved by the board annually. Um and like you said I mean which basically means like we can't access the without doing this part we can't access the reimbursement. um uh by providing the students free breakfast some. >>
028So are we voting yes? >> I think you have to authorize we need to to vote and vote on both of these papers. >> Yeah. I think you need the approval on that. And then basically I take that and then I attach it to this very large packet. The the CS to do this optional voting for beverage exemptions or just do the birth stage. >> The board of ed must two vote three. Yeah, I'm following. >> So on page 56, it has >> I'll do it. Okay, >> Patrick, the um vote number three. Hi everybody. Um vote number three is new this year. It hasn't been on there before. It's for beverages, not just food. >> Uh Jessica, what is the exact language they have to use for the vote? I believe it's in the
029packet. >> Page 56. >> I have page 57 combined food and beverage. You can do you vote one with these words and then you vote this combined to do the food and beverage together. So instead of doing one, vote two and vote three, you vote one and vote four, whatever. >> All right. So, I'll make a motion pursuant to Connecticut General Statutes 10-215F, the East Windsor Board of Education certifies that all food items offered for sale to students in the school under its and not exempted from the Connecticut Nutrition Standards published by the Connecticut Department of Commission will comply with standards during the period of July 1st, 2026 through June 30th, 27th 27. His certification shall include all food offered for sale to student foods separately from reimbured meals at all times of all sources
030including but not limited to school stores, vending machines, school, culinary programs in any fundraising activities of school premises sponsored by the school or non school organization. One second. Motion is made by Narin, seconded by Brian. Any discussion, questions? All those in favor? >> Opposed? >> I I uh Courtney and Carrie are both in favor. >> I Yes. >> Okay. So, right. Motion carries unanimously. I'll do the third one if anybody cares. Yep. the East Windsor Board of Education or I make a motion that the East Windsor Board of Education will allow the sale to students of food items that do not meet the Connecticut nutritional standards and beverages not listed in section 10-221Q of the Connecticut General Statutes, provided that the following conditions are met. One, the sale is in connection with an event occurring
031after the end of a regular school day or on the weekend. Two, the sale is at the location of the event. And three, the food and beverage items are not sold from a vending machine or school store. An event is an occurrence that involves more than just a regularly scheduled practice, meeting, or extracurricular activity. For example, soccer games, school plays, and intercolastic debates are events, but soccer practices, soccer practices, play rehearsals, and debate team meetings are not. The regular school day is the period from midnight before to 30 minutes after the end of the official school day. Location means where the event is being held and must be the same place as the food and beverage sales. Motion is made by Fran. Any Is there a second? >> Seconded by Casey. Any discussion, questions? All
032those in favor? I >> I >> opposed. Okay. Motion passes uni unanimously. Unless there are some burning liaison or subcommittee reports. We're going to pass on that. Does anybody have anything? We have no public. No miscellaneous. Does anybody have miscellaneous correspondence? I've asked that you read it ahead of time. So you have questions on anything. We'll take that. If not, we've you can make a motion to go into executive session. Go into executive session. Um, we're going to go into executive session to include the superintendent and the and Ryan >> including the superintendent. >> No, don't worry. It will be easy. >> So, be five minutes. Ryan, by so motion or we just have a motion. >> Okay. to go into executive session for contract negotiations to include the superintendent and and Ryan Dallas superintendent.
033>> No, no, >> you're not going to be here. Come on. >> I'm okay. >> Okay. So, the motion was made by Betsy. Who seconded it? >> Seconded by Brian. >> All those in favor of going into executive session. I >> I >> Daryl already did his pair of contract negotiations this year. >> Okay. um so we need