Board of Education Meeting

001I'd like to make a list. >> All right, I'm going to call this meeting to order for the region 15 board of education, Monday, March 23rd. Can we please stand for the pledge of allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the stands one nation under God, indivisible, liberty and justice for all. The mission of reaching 15, a collaborative community to excellence and educate every student is productive, ethical, and engaged in a global society through proven and innovative learning experiences supported by a strong community through decision making is based in the best interest of all students. We're going to start with their student representatives, Miss Victoria Datlo and Miss Liza Merch. Okay, starting with um second grad won the national um prevention week poster contest and she got a lot of

002awards and attended Washington DC in the White House. And then for community engagement, they helped successfully with stuffers family fun night and with a um reading with the capia fundraiser to support library media sector. And then from me um there was a reading celebration kicked off at Barnes & Noble. And then afterwards there was a home school character parade engagement. And then finally um there was um two specialized cultural or assemblies to enhance the school engagement as well. Um, at Pump Rock Elementary, they had an exciting week. Some moments like Staff March Madness, spirit day, and they also celebrated Pi Day and shout out to the fourth graders who memorize lots of dishes of pie. And they also are continuing their copy and kind calls and to recognize kindness around their school. And then at

003Popar Rock High School, we are in the middle of our NEAS review and students are involved in many different ways like including giving tours, sharing projects they've done in classes and meeting as a small group to answer questions that they have about the school experience at Pop Rock. And tomorrow there will be a fun uh wheelchair basketball game event where the students will take on the spoke vendors um and raise money for their team. >> Are you on the NASC team? >> Yeah, you are. We um some board members met with um within the day and they also said like how enthusiastic our students were. They were very grateful for that. So thank you for um sort of participating in the any questions. >> Thank you very much. >> Thank you. >> Um next we

004have um budget discussion. At our last meeting, we kind of talked about having some um additional information that was requested by board members. So, we're going to go over that tonight. Um and just so that board members have an idea of the landscape. So, we have this meeting tonight. Wednesday night, we have our combined board of ed board of finance meeting. We've got some questions from board of finance members, which we will be going over. That's 6:30 on Wednesday. 7:30 there's a public hearing similar to what we just had. um on our budget. Um and then after that, we're gonna hopefully have another possible budget discussion depending on where we go tonight, but then hopefully in theory we're going to go at our budget meeting, I'm sorry, our regular board of ed meeting on April

0056. So, um if there's questions that you want answered, like tonight's the night to do it, um because we're running out of runway. Um, so I'm going to turn it over to Josh who did um talk to us about the additional information that we required or asked for at our last meeting. >> So one thing so all of you got the updated February financial report that show our year balance. The big piece there is since we've encumbered the roof that service at Long Meadow Remember the way reimbursement works and you have the front end and then we get reimburse piece of that. that's incorporated. The motions on tonight's uh agenda will allow us to start mechanics of that process. Uh so we incorporated that. I also gave to you tonight u draft this presentation that

006was presented at the finance committee in that it ties out um kind of the year- end balance from last year and the projects that the transfers to do. Um if you remember the question was about the breakdown of active urine valuable. So uh here projects for that we'll tie out also out of the the 417 of unexpected there are two big drivers that weren't part of the gear end balance or that funded some of these projects. one uh we had anticipated a cut in excess cost reimbursement lately. So we saved to account for that cut and then uh thankfully our department had fun excess cost allowed us uh to recover that revenue. The other piece is that our tuition line was healthy last year. Uh there were students that we had anticipated at outpace facility

007and did not materialize. They balance so pay those fees. So that counted our year end balance. Um and then if you look at the the February financials, you'll see that um historically the certified non-certified salary line, we carry a little balance. Um good news is that we have been healthy that line the last few years. Um the maybe more challenging thing is we've already taken those cuts in the numbers that you have in next year's proposed budget. Um both of the certified and non salary non-certified salary accounts have been reduced in the proposed budget um by about 550,000. So I think in the February financial about 600,000 in that line change September 7,000 u assumption that that line will come down by 550 and the projection see for next year. Wow. The other piece is

008that we had talked about some comparisons for the social worker position. So I'm going to pass this out to you. >> That was a lot. We asked questions. sir >> in the middle. So just just to back up this you said it's certified in salary that was down 550 in the current >> currently you have you have a surplus isn't >> financial sorry you're talking about you we're only speaking of the current the February we're not talking about >> correct so if you look at last year's budget there was a surplus on that the end of the year in next year's proposed budget the numbers that you see assume a $550,000 reduction in those two lines >> based on what's going on right now. Correct. We also grow from severance lines as we now have

009few retirements that have already >> and that's does that include 550 include the sports top that you are that's in yeah it's not a certified line. Sorry last year I will pass that to you all. Appreciate Dr. Sher uh with some quick turnaround on some of the information. So uh what you had in front of you uh we put some there was a question on comparisons to regional districts. Um so you'll see here we kind of gave you all there's some uh challenges with doing apples to apples and that every district uh uses kind of mental health professionals slightly differently. So, we gave you um districts enrollment from their mental health support staff. Um we uh have surveyed we may get a few more answers in over the next few days. These are the districts

010that responded to the uh request for information from them. Um then you'll see kind of the breakdown up top then the bottom is an aggregate. Um then on the next couple of pages you'll see some growth comparisons over the last few years of types of cases that we've supported. Uh one of the things that shifted a little bit in our district uh is the emergence. So McKenna Pinto is the federal law around homeless uh and the definition of homeless which talks about stable residency um and the responsibility of school districts to educate students. We had zero in 2019 2020. I believe we have nine uh current. So while that doesn't seem like a huge growth from zero to nine, remember that those nine represent families that need supports. So we went from none to nine.

011uh some other information about how um we structure u I will email you the other piece you asked for is a model you have that hand out I don't have that so I will email you out another question was should we add the social worker what that structure would look like in the district so I have a hand out for you taken into this packet. Apologies for that to get that to you. But uh structurally we talked a little bit about it u at the last meeting that we would have uh one social worker for K8 Southbury, one social worker for K8 uh the K8 schools in middle area and then one designated to the high school. Uh and that would allow some continuity from uh prek through grade eight. Um and then hand off

012collaboration depending on the family >> questions on those too. Um, and then we're talking about the social work. Just for comparison, when we talk about special ed, I think of there's a referral, then you're tested, and then depending on the testing, something else happens. Is there such a structure? And and then and the testing dictates what is or is not required by law. Is there such a structure with social work? and what part of it is mandated. >> So I will speak to it a little bit and invite Dr. Sherto to calibrate that answer. So while there's a referral process, it's different than special education where there's specific metrics and standard deviations of student performance or confability. It could be that it could be food insecurity, it could be housing insecurity, it could be mental

013health crisis. Um the supports vary and are more tailored to the needs of the family and the impact of children at school than they are to um student achievement. Um then mandated by law um I would say things like the Kenny BTO is mandated by law. How we support families within that uh there's not necessarily a specific uh structure on that mandate. the attendance work that they're doing is mandated like you need to have uh and that wasn't we didn't put that in here per se but that wasn't the case in 2019. Um every school and every district in the state has to have student attendance committees. uh the social workers involved in that. Um again, I'd say the the law doesn't mandate that the social worker has to do that, but the positions that

014you see here, whether it's a school psych psychologist or school counselor, uh those people have to be involved. So social worker tends to be the uh communicator between the family and the school. Um, and so like special ed like you just look at numbers. You don't necessarily know where someone might fall on the spectrum. Someone could be Mckin Vento, someone could be absentee, someone >> So my question was like how are the referrals determined? What's the process in a chain of command kind of way? Like what drives the referral and also who drives the referral? So where's that coming from? I would say it's somewhat multifaceted. I'll ask to weigh in because it could be teachers, it could be family. >> So I guess like to clarify my question is so if it starts with

015a teacher, it goes to where? >> So it starts with a counselor goes to where? Like what what is the >> we have a referral form >> uh for um social worker services. So, uh, typically they're in maybe some kinds of team meeting or group meeting and something's happening that is above and beyond what the district do as a classroom. Um, and maybe it it's community services or maybe a family contacted the school looking for um therapists or assistance with governmental services or whatnot. So, we fill out a referral form the referring entity. So, it could be the classroom teacher, special teacher, principal, counselor, anyone. it goes to the social workers. They review the questions. Um, also before the referral goes in, typically we contact the family if they're not the ones reaching out to

016say, "Listen, you may get a call from our social worker because we're going to give you some assistance or whatnot." And then they start with their contact uh interview and question to see what's needed and then what happens after that. But we do have that. >> So that's how you got the data that's there with the touch points. So depending on the scenario there might be one >> sometimes they have to contact 12 times they have to be in contact. >> So does it usually go through the counseling department first or is it kind of like it jumps all over? >> It goes directly to the social worker. Anyone can refer but it goes directly to the social worker. >> So like school for example might come from assistant principal >> comes from the nurse

017could come from outside the child's hospital. >> Yeah. Right. Um and then I would just point out to Dr. uh part of the reason uh which I appreciate uh in that our structures for those touch points and interactions has improved the last five years. So remember that 2019 2020 was the first year as a district we had any social work. So the structure of our referrals, the forms, that kind of chain of command piece, that was um a new process back then. Were much more structured and >> and you also have to throw in a little bit of that thing called COVID that jumped in where no one was available for anything and people started going online. So referrals, you know, we didn't track as well. We needed for tracking like that. So What's the

018um time lag between what makes referral like is there a backlog of social workers that are we have two very wonderful socialities immediately step >> so what what the ask the additional social workers because it's the cases are backed up but more because the volume >> you want them to have more time to are there other community resources where people could be getting those you know what I mean those >> they're sending people to community resources so they have like a 78 page document at this point where they have like different categories among referral sources or whatnot. They're helping families apply. They're giving them list of places to go. >> I'm just wondering where you know school sort of opposition >> and you know how many points you need people. What kind >> what we

019have? I guess for the example like we're saying it can be well the family help where do you find your food assistance and the things where do you find some therapy assistance then you know help coach them through transportation if that's what's required or clothing like that or or housing we help point to the agencies that do that role as opposed to they're not doing that or they'll point to the agencies for certain therapies that they're looking for or um you know someone needs inh own ABA services for a child with autism and they haven't gotten it either with any agency. Well, they'll give them, you know, okay, what insurance do you have? Let me find your insurance, what it covers, and give you other options, things like that. So, that's for that referral piece,

020but um they do their trauma based counseling groups that they've been trained for. Um so that with 12 sessions for students or if it's attendance and you know after two or three meetings nothing happen and they start doing their home visit. So it depends on the need for est escalation >> as long as you're at the table and I'm sorry you got pulled into double duty. Um, but I actually have been thinking a lot about like a very brief conversation we had last time and I asked you about the technology line and you were suggesting like the cost of the seal screener license has gone up and then we also have to now buy iPads to administer the screener. >> So, >> well, not the screener that's for testing that Steve was talking about the

021mandated um I testing that's >> Oh, so that's not related to the >> No, not that. No, that's actual special education has not material. >> Okay, then I don't have a question. I was wondering how you were going to do reading on six table. >> Oh, >> yeah. Trying to figure out how that works. So it's so it's a different screening for or I heard I was thinking so >> screening is um the teachers are rating at a certain window of time on the performance of the students in six areas of castle social emotional behavioral and then we take that information so it informs classroom teachers on how to address it but >> that's not for the iPads that >> no the iPad is for special education testing and eligibility. and so >> and it's

022only one test >> and and that has to be done. >> Yeah, they've upgraded. >> You can't do it on a laptop. >> Yeah, >> I asked but >> the book >> Yeah, I'm just in in search of metrics is um when somebody's referred to the first social work um or to a social worker uh is there an exit process like is there a way to say we've closed out this many referrals or um or is that kind or is it just a continuous loop that maybe doesn't >> some close they actually um so the data that I can see from the social workers they have their active list and then they have they when a case is closed they move it over to a closed I'm so happy to have that. >> Thank you.

023>> I mean my question is one just understanding like so this is saying that we have eight psychologists two social workers which is significantly more than any other district through the districts our size. Is that because we placed are these? So part of it's hard to like judge because like for instance Newville doesn't have as many schools as we have, right? Are we just saying this is like this standard here is one per school versus like us having eight for the same amount of students. So the second chart shows you the better metric because um in adding all the mental health providers together and comparing it to um the total school population because all of providers can provide service to all of the students. Um each district utilizes their providers in different ways that can't

024be measured on a chart. So we may have eight psychologists but someone may have I think there's a higher number of social workers in one of the districts on the paper. I don't have one in front of me. um and so they may be utilizing them differently. So if you add all the mental health providers together and then average it by um the total population, you get how many mental health providers per student? Thank you. Um so for example, for us, we have one mental health provider every 145 students. Um when you go down the list, so I'll just pick Newfield, they have one mental health provider for 111 students. Um, so that's a better ratio about provider to student as opposed to up above when you u look because you don't know exactly what

025they're using each of those people for. Like for psychologists um we do uh full service with our psychologists which is the the testing the consultation and the collaboration in the classrooms where some places for example that has a third party contract they only contract out to test a child but I'm assuming the price differential right is different like a psychologist versus the counselor >> they're the same as the teacher's contract. Oh, so everyone's >> everyone's got a teacher with the same social workers as well. Yes. >> Even counselors. >> Yes. >> They're on the same steps as a teacher. Jeff. >> No, I was just interest they have the same steps, right? But it doesn't. >> So where would like psychiatrist be on that step? They'd be at a higher step. >> No. >> If

026they have a PhD in psychology, >> it's whatever it is for a PhD. Exactly. >> And then clinically there's a difference too. >> Hold on one second. There's too many conversations and I'm I'm totally lost. So >> what were you saying? >> So these are school psychologists, right? They're not clinical psychologist. So PhD in psychology that has the ability to prescribe and things like that. >> Not necessarily. >> Am I confusing my psychology? >> Yes, you are. You could have a PhD in school psychology. Uh but >> uh but they're all the same the teachers contract. These are certified staff so they all start on the same step teachers contract >> the same row as their education model. There are some differentials for example like the the u the counselors uh have stayed here so

027they hold days they're on the same salary schedule as >> the other any other I That's all I got for now. >> All that got those are all the extent of the questions that we had from our last piece. Anyone have any further questions or want to go ahead? >> Before we get to the >> piece, >> yeah, there's like a five part. >> Yeah. >> Is that still coming? >> We went through and actually >> Why? >> Well, because what we what we try it's a What is it that you need us to answer? So, >> okay. >> So, Mrs. Bio, myself, Mr. Martino, >> um tried to discern that if I rewatch it. Uh and one of the things that wanted to clarify middle school music as far as we can tell that

028question >> the the dollars in the budget already give you the 23,000 or so available. You want to remove that and not your choice. Uh whether or not you wanted to up high school fees and reduce middle school fees again like we can model that for you, but I wasn't quite sure where you want to go. >> Well, so full disclosure, after reflecting on it over the weekend, um I do not want to lose the revenue. So I'm I'm like happy to you know discuss like what what might happen if you know we we were to you know give up give up the revenue but I'm not I myself don't plan to support um the revenue plus so unless it's a revenue neutral like I don't it's just not going to be on my radar

029this year so I don't need anymore. So, so Steve, are you saying that and and then maybe I'm like, are you saying that instead of raising like whatever? I don't even know how much is $150. So, say we moved at the high school with $200 with fees, you're not okay with that. Like, you don't want to remove gate fees at all. >> I don't There was a line there was a a revenue loss in the proposed budget >> because we removing fees, right? Are you talking about middle school? >> Okay. So, >> even though parents >> Yeah. I I I'm just saying I'm not in favor at this time of rem of taking a budget that I feel is too high and then like I guess um I'll say make we're making it higher because

030we're going to purposefully remove $50,000 in revenue. >> Just to clarify, so that money is pretty baked in. So for example, if you wanted to include gate, you don't want to use gate fees, you could reduce the budget by 50,000. Right? >> You have 50,000 that used to have revenue from gate fees built into the athletic budget. That's the increase in the 45% that we purchase services that the services that we're purchasing is what used to be paid for by those games. So that's baked into the budget already. So you either can repurpose that somewhere else and keep pay fees or you could cut it and keep pay fees or you could leave it at is as is and it's like middle school music for example is about 20 24,000 worth of fees that we

031so conversation kind of have that some version of a gate fee reduction and took the middle school away and that all live in that 50,000 club so change. >> Go ahead. So, I mean, I I guess I'm completely against that, Steve, because every time that we've talked about these, right, parents come here and say they're tired of these, they've missed their children play, right? Our time is compressed as parents, as volunteers, as everything in this community is the fact that they're standing in line and they've watched their child run a lap and then they didn't get to see that because they're standing waiting for beneath these, right? when there are options, right? If we need to make up the $50,000, why don't we raise pay for play at the high school? When you look at

032club sports and how much we pay, I don't know, basketball, right? So, I pay $900 a month for my kids to play basketball outside of school. Here, it's $150, right, for the season. Like, why would you say $200? >> I don't So, I don't have it up there and I'm I'm sorry I'm getting confused. If anything was done in the budget that made the budget go higher because we were assuming we were going to lower a fee, I am not. So, was anything done in the budget to make it go higher because we were assuming we're going to change something that draw where it was. >> Yes. Thank you. >> Yes. So, so what I'm saying is I >> So, so just so I don't direct your comments to me. convince other people >> to

033do whatever they >> my thought process and we should maybe just discuss it as I would be wholeheartedly against that because right our job we are elected officials it's not what we specifically want it's what our constituents what people tell us they need or want from this community it is our job to help kind of funnel them through so the only commentary that we've ever had about these is they should be removed and at the same time same parents have said, "I will pay more." Don't make them stop at the game. Right? So, my thought process is if we're worried, which I'm not, about the $50,000 because Steve, that's one cent. That's less than a cent on someone's taxes. It's fine. Right. From that perspective, if we're worried about the $50,000, then we should raise

034pay for play here at the high school. leave middle school the same, cut in half, whatever the situation is to try to make up that differential for >> that's if you just rejigger it and it's it does not involve I I don't know how many you can raise something I don't know how many ways to say it just not and I think I would disagree with a lot of what you just said but not I don't want to get into just a different Go ahead. I think for me it's how it hits people, right? So what I heard and what I recall from discussions, I don't even remember it was last year was that we were an outlier in middle school and that we were having families pay a lot for not as much utility.

035And I think that that's problematic. And I think that this board kind of said, "Wow, that doesn't seem right." So, I totally hear you, Steve. Like, you don't want to lose the revenue stream, but I also think that where that revenue stream comes in should be equitable relative to what parents and community and kids are actually getting relative to that. And I think as you said, it's how it gets balanced. >> And I think that there's other things we also heard like a pass. And again, this is this I'm clearing the cos out of my mind, but is there an opportunity to get a family pass? Or if you're even doing pay for play, can you get some other type of season pass? So, you're still providing that level of of revenue stream, but it's

036perhaps not ex like really hitting people very hard to watch their child play a sport while they're they're already paying to play. So, I feel like we've had this conversation a lot, but I'm not sure kind of how it's ever really landed, but it doesn't seem to be I'm not sure where it is, but but but I am concerned that if you're a middle schooler and you're paying to do something, but it's only two days a week versus five days somewhere else, you should be paying the same. Um, if the services aren't equitable, you shouldn't be paying the same. I I agree with you >> and I totally hear what you're saying. I don't need that. >> I agree. >> I'm in the camp of making middle school experience better than it is. >> Correct.

037>> That's correct. >> And that that was my major struggle. I would have no problem with the $150 of middle school if it was equitable to what the $150 was getting for you at the high school. So that was my uh that was my feeling on that. And then just >> Yeah. And then just the arbitrar arbitrary you know everybody's paying this or whatever. I want to see it compared to that too. But I think the other problem that we were having was the fact that everyone uses um help me out here. >> Oh go that everyone else uses Goofan. So even if we're going to another place we're still going to have to utilize that. And if we had a pass we'd still have to utilize GoPan which was part of the bigger problem

038that you're getting stuck. And I hear that um you know people saying we'll get there earlier working parent I know there's other people that are working parents you're rushing to get to a game and you're missing it because the to getting in the door everybody's trying to figure out the goof fan thing. So it's like a wonky system that everybody's using which sick. So, I don't know what the answer is there, but I don't think even if we I mean, if we got rid of t fees, it would make a difference. But if we don't, we just change them, we still have that same problem and we still have it when we go to another school as well because they're all used answers. >> So, Josh, your original statement of what was the question you

039were trying to answer, I left thinking the question would be you would model two or three different ways to provide a new look at this book. One would be the same way we always do it. One would be no gate fees up pay to play or gate fees or this. And we left some comment about certain events for certain like homecoming or senior night be free. So I think it was a couple of lofts of how to solve for this and there's two problems at hand. There's one is the feast problem and two is the expositions. How do you get in fast pass ideas whatever? and that operational mechanic probably just needs to be completely off the table in this world and just solved like somehow come up with some creative ideas. But I think

040the models that I was thinking of were here's how we do it now. Here's idea one, here's idea two, here's idea three on how to mitigate that revenue and solve for some of the inequities in middle school, high school gate fees and not. Uh because then we got into all those different spin-offs of this cross country fees and do we pay for the same cross country $400 and football is $400 and there's a totally different thing going on. So not that we're just leaving them according not to entitle but that's kind of how I felt like the question the question to answer was that >> so the model you have right now in the proposed budget is pay fees stay the same middle high school there are no gay fees so if you want to

041school music is still touched >> everything all the fees are the same >> high school is it >> all the fees we didn't touch any of the >> so all the fees. We didn't we didn't change. We eliminated gate fees uh and put the money to so gate fees were never pay for the officials on those fields. So we absorb the cost the paying all the officials. So it's revenue neutral. There's no revenue to come in to offset the cost of the officials who built that cost. If you wanted to keep KPs as is, you restore it to what we do today, that would give you $50,000 that's already in the budget number that you have to then change your fee structure and reduce revenue that comes in from somewhere else kind of budget neutral.

042If you keep gate fees gone and adjust fees, that's where your revenue number starts to change your budget. you increase the budget effect >> unless you do what Shannon's proposed and you offset that by increasing it. >> That's correct. And that I mean arguably the fee structure it stays neutral isn't even a budget conversation. There's a fee schedule that the board votes on and that fee schedule that's where we started last year's conversation is as long as it's revenue and budget neutral you can change the fees however you want across schools programs. But I think Steve is saying he wants to make the where are we at 54 whatever the number is three and a half he wants to reduce that by $50,000 which is 5.33 >> which would be accomplished by raising pay to

043play to mitigate >> no he's just saying the gate at zero you'd have to raise something Sorry. >> Thank you. I mean I'm just if it's that important too like I think we could think about well if whatever we do all these things with the fees and the structures and all that is there something else that we could forego rather than just with the budget being more intact. Is there something else that that we could forgo to Yeah. Yes. >> Like what I All right. I guess my question is right like is is the before we start having this conversation is are you just like I want $50,000 out of the budget or do you want like a hundred because I don't want to spend time having a 50ation if you're talking about 50,000 or

044whatever the number is conversation we should have it like all in right and then kind of decide >> I so I complet and I wrote that I completely agree like I don't I don't need to hackle over the 50,000 like I would want it under 5% right so dropping it you know like you've said a couple times it's going to make a difference so like there's no >> unless anyone else is interested in that big of a book like there's no point in talking about the difference >> and so Going from 5.3 to five is how much money go? >> 5.4.4 5.3 to four that >> 5.4 5.4 What? It's 978 about >> $450,000 to drop >> and that attractively brings middle >> and consistently, you know, like I don't >> Yeah, >> seems like

045a very big number on a budget where there's not a lot of 10,000 4 450 >> 450 to get below 5%. >> I'm against that. >> But you all know that. >> Yeah. >> I want to add feel to it. >> I'm not your girl. I I I I hear the you know the 50,000 like I I don't want to spend continue spinning our wheels on on you know this $50,000 beat fees pay for play the music stuff and please don't um attack me for saying this but I think there's a budget neutral way that we could do this um by increasing the pay for play at the high school level. I don't know what it doesn't seem like it has to be a ton of money um to kind of fix the issues that

046are at hand whether that's the middle school music as well um you know the the the gate fees or whatever. I would send this to finance. I'm so sorry. I would send it >> Yeah. I would send it to finance. Come up with a budget neutral way to do that. maybe not for this budget or you know whatever like doesn't have to be done by April 6th but come up with some kind of a budget neutral way to address all these issues and some kind of a fair format that kind of looks at to make sure that we're not all out we're not outliers on certain issues >> every about every $30 gets you about 25,000 additional fees from high school >> those blocks get rid of like middle school fees like the model has

047called $30 high school middle school I think it's good to go finance can you get us a list of every activity >> every every group >> everything middle school and high school every club like do we charge you know or is this charged for or is that charged >> for cross country as well as theater >> everything from the middle school to the high school and let us look at it and come up with a fair and equitable way to to judge it like >> doesn't bring that much >> sport so it does say with that packet from last winter we do have all fees >> is theater is theater charged >> school no school >> no >> okay and what would be the reason why. >> So I guess arguably that it is tied

048like you don't you no longer have to be in the course to be like >> so and then do are you charged to go to see the flip? >> Yes. >> Okay. >> So these are things that we need to know. We need to look at it all and compare. >> Please send those like >> questions. Those are awesome because I need I can help models >> because the the things that I've heard are that years ago they were arbitrarily decided upon. >> Yeah. >> And that there isn't a lot of fairness and equity in the charges. So that's what I would want to see and that's what you think for the theater program. Can you remember like the teacher that worked during the day that hours were shifted? So the class after that after

049school was different issues for that. >> So the board always set the budget and adjust fees. I mean no change rental rates long as it stays neutral. >> I think we just have all the information and so once and for all we look at all the fees and we say >> you know let's let's just make it fair. >> Go ahead Jeff. And then Tom, >> I was just going to say even though the fees don't have it listed by sport, give us the sports and the total participants and we can figure it out >> because I don't want to be I don't want to I don't want to ignore the conversation we had last time about how cross country pays the same fee as some of the sports with a much heavier loan and

050we may not do anything with it, but we may want to at least look at that consider my last district we tried down with like costing out how much each like it gets really You think this cover >> if you have if you have a full space you don't obviously have a pool but like l full time is super significant if you don't have >> I did not have my hand you were doing something Um, and this don't need this right now, but one of the things that I was thinking about in terms of this conversation about glory and I guess I'm just wondering, do we take census of people as they come to games? We know how many people are joining our games. >> Is it something that we could look at over time?

051We see, >> you know, this year we we had this many visitors to games, next year. Yeah, I mean I just think maybe going forward that would be something to reference because we eliminate cake fees and then we're talking about building, you know, >> more seating, you know, like I just kind of want through line of um any other budget questions? I thought we would take a pulse on Wednesday to see after public the public hearing and after hearing the boards of finance. Um but if there any other questions or >> that was just my question like when are we going like right we're so we're not discussing like where people stand we're waiting till boards of finance and then we're going to discuss and hash the Babelong meeting out is Wednesday. Wednesday. >> I'

052I'd rather like I get nervous leaving it to the six because we're constrained >> when we have to do our budget vote. But >> let's >> I have a question for that future meeting which is the number that was thrown on the table to get it down below five $250,000. >> Yes. So from the two of your perspective, you wouldn't have delivered a budget that high already cut everything you could, but where would those argument topics be so that we have as much information because you're going to come to the table with some I know you always do like, okay, we got this buck and this book, this bucket and they all might be, you know, we can't touch it, but where where are those big pools that can be touched that maybe they're wrestled?

053>> They're pools that have taken years to build, you know, That's the point for today. >> I mean, here here are the two things say like so it's always about balancing cost pressure to be like I can't cut the insurance line. >> So it's always about you want to add more risk to the budget or do you want to reduce programs? That's really the >> we've given you a balance a budget in our mind where we took more risk than we normally. uh we could take more risk or you can look at programs that that's really those are the two like that that choice that you have and there's nowhere in the budget where you could cut it like yeah we didn't >> no totally understood but like last year Tom brought up and we

054had a long discussion about I think it was about $150,000 that was clearly excess and he was right we didn't need >> right and so now this year we that came to the bottom line doesn't mean it went away we moved it into a different account those are the places where I'm saying okay and I recognize that that's risky or a cut. Those are going to be conversations on Wednesday, so we might as well from your perspective, you say, "Okay, if I were going to dig in, it's where I dig in." Not saying you're going to come to the table saying, "Here's a little cut in just these are the places to >> Yeah. The only qualifying thing on that is I wouldn't use the words we didn't need it in the last year because

055you got a presentation tonight of things that we >> own. You know, like that that's to me if we didn't have year end balance, then we wouldn't have added it to our fund balance." uh or we wouldn't have done some of these projects. So that to me when I say increased risk, we have things that are breaking that we could sure we have to fix it now. Can we hold our cross our fingers? We put it in. We absolutely can do those things. That's all and that's where we put it for you to discuss with so that >> you know we're all in the same issue. >> Totally recognize that none of it is wasted and but it's all balancing the optics. Um, you know, a 499 goes different than a 54 when you're about

056to drop a school referendum and two turf fields with lights. All the things. >> Oh, start with two with lights. You got number one. >> But but just to be clear, you already took a half a million dollars out of the salary line in this next budget, which we've never done before. Correct. from those positions that in part led to a large surplus >> yeah we we have those we didn't cut positions in math took the salaries because on average we have 10 positions that have been unfilled not the same ones they kind of add and flow year end salaries out we're not necessarily going to fill these position he became much more competitive contractually from a PAR perspective. Those are positions contractually that we are supposed to fill. So I I would caution there's

057already significant risk in that. We have enough care. We hear parents complain their kids don't have services. We took a stance >> no we took a stance saying Yeah. It was a good chance saying that we're going to be more competitive, right? >> No. Okay. Well, anyways, so I I I think that we are >> I'll say this that what's been publicly disclosed because I wasn't in those negotiations. Yeah. What's been publicly disclosed that those positions have been very hard to fill. >> Yes. >> And that there was I think a very high attrition rate. Right. So what can you do to kind of make region 15 more attractive to either hire or retain people in this who are pairs? I think that's been very openly discussed >> and as a board we and I

058think that what you're identifying is um if the if what if we tow a line and what you hope to happen happens you could actually find yourself in a hole. Right? So that's the risk right that we're talking about >> to your point >> and through the the way the teacher s package pays out we have the ability to take it either in June or in July on pay. So typically we've paid those out in June out of the current budget year because it does give you room the future year. Um, obviously by by eating away at some of those additional dollars certified line, you know, maybe in or sitting here this time next year, some of those dollars will roll into the July budget. Again, not a great model, but it's the option. Again,

059when you're when you're at a pretty aggressive budget number already, those are the kind of things you take. >> Do want to highlight though, last year when we were having this conversation, there were also people at this table that highlighted that we would be going into a very volatile year. So I think that kind of everything will be so to a little extent. Um I think that the other piece is anytime I start to hear about programmatical cuts that just makes me very concerned particularly when you reflect back at least I when I reflect back on the conversations that have been quite robust relative to our performance. Um, and I'd almost be questioning, and I know I mentioned this um, as an aside to to some board members, like if we see that that grant

060that we had with the tutoring the middle school was effective, why hasn't that been built into the budget so that that becomes a standard, right? um when I hear from the PTO uh uh advisory like hey if we are are sending a significant portion of of parents are sending their children to um uh tutoring why aren't we building in an SAT prep class that's an elective at the high school like these are things where you know we have to be careful about what we want and then where we're willing to invest the money and where we're willing to cut and I personally when we start to head into this group of contractual obligations. But we all know that then there's a very small delta on where we can kind of you know implement certain things.

061I would be very very opposed to any impact to anything that would be relevant to programs that could potentially drive the conversation about test scores i.e. test scores go up, right? So, we can evaluate what that looks like, but I would say there are still opportunities to invest money differently to have a positive return on test scores relative to how that money is being invested. And I actually don't see that in the budget. So, I actually think that the miss here was when we say we're not adding anything or we're not cutting to me like are we putting the right money in the right places to help overarchingly support what we want academic achievement for the school. So that's how I would like to look at this, right? Like gate fees and all that, sports,

062it's a nice to have. At the end of the day, what are we doing in this budget to drive the to score? You know, so I don't want to get into a conversation where we're cutting $450,000 and that's going to end up impacting how kids are learning in this classroom. >> No means. >> Yeah. Are you sure? >> So, um I agree. Uh, I think that it's hard to have the conversation without knowing what and you know, I mentioned this last time we were talking about special education costs about sustainability and growing at the rate we're growing in special education is just not going to be a sustainable thing. Likewise, I said a couple years ago, and I have to be consistent, I don't think a budget that grows five and a half or more

063percent a year is a sustainable course Um, and yet here we are three of the last four years with budgets over 5 and a half% growth. At the rate of our compounded over the last four years, our budget would double every 12 years at the rate we've been growing over the past four, including this year. So, we talk about programmatic cuts and us not being uh interested, but I think at some point hard conversations are coming. Like if you agree with me that this budget can't be a five and a half six% approaching 6% increase year-over-year at some point hard decisions are coming. I'm not saying they have to be this year but it might be an interesting exercise to see what would a $450,000 cut look like to prepare ourselves for having to address

064those things. You showed us a chart Josh where health care costs are going to outstrip the cost of wages. We can't just ignore that and say, "Well, let's pass it on to the to the communities. At some point, something's going to have to change." So, I think we need to begin preparing ourselves by seeing what would a $450,000 code look like. And we can look at it and say, "Yeah, we're never doing this." But it's probably a can we're just kicking down the road if we continue to get five, six. Not to mention, we're adding debt service, which isn't making our number go down year-over-year. In coming years, it's going up. Um, now I say this with full acknowledgement that the budget passes 70 to 30 every year. So, that's pretty much a mandate the

065community saying send it our way, but I'm very nervous about a five and a half in the year where we're asking million dollars for schools. So, I think it's a good thing to kind of struggle to have this conversation and take a look at at what it would really mean. Uh because if we're not doing it this year, we're probably doing it in future years. The bill is gonna have to be paid at some point. >> Sorry. And I think at one point years ago, we added a bunch of fees because we couldn't pass the budget. I don't want to get to the point where we've stripped everything fees wise, whether it be parking or whatever, gate fees, pay to play, and then all of a sudden we're f we're faced with not passing budgets.

066And that's the discussion we have all of a sudden we've got to add it all back in because it's the only way we're going to get what we need programmatically that scares me a little bit too I just want to make a couple of short points one is that some of the increases over last few years to address some deferred cost so I do think that our ability to withstand some of this and the fiscal discipline to protect capital lines and you know some of the other places that that we went to because they weren't programmatic uh were the impact of having some of those early pieces. Right. So, I do think our ability this year kind of to your point to limit the increase to in cost centers that are out of our control

067was easier so to speak because we were really strategic in how we budgeted the last four or five years. So like when when I say we're not adding more to our pension plan, our pension plan's healthy now. We don't have to add the last five years it wasn't help. So we had to catch up. So I do think like being responsible and not underfunding the pension or I'm using as an example insulates us against some of the future costs. I do think things like health insurance we we can't as a school district fix that. That is a state and and national issue. >> We have to react to it. >> We do and and we but there's going to be a point where there's we won't be able to do anything except healthare if if

068we don't have bigger conversation. Uh you'll have class sizes of 50 being the idea is cut things you know to to offset 15% insurance increases. You know some of the things we had to pass were 6% 5% insurance. Uh we're going to talk Wednesday night some of the the questions around you know kind of a CPI inflationary index. Well if if inflation like if healthcare followed an inflationary trend that'd be a lot easier to do but when it's five times inflation like that's hardly so we can do some of that but I do think there is this balance. Uh I think being able to repurpose the dollars that we had. This is the challenge that we gave to uh our instructional folks this year is we worked really hard the last five years to to

069build you healthy supply lines, curriculum lines, professional development lines. What can you do within that to improve our areas and our gaps? Uh as opposed to what can we buy to help fix that, right? So that's where the budget you have, which trade-off is. It's really hard now to say there's nothing new we're purchasing. uh that isn't the only way to reduce that staffing increase or the salary increase is through staff. there is, you know, that's a contractual obligation. Transportation, some of that is wage uh deflation or wage stagnation over the last few years. Like that's catching up to us, right? And it's not just us here. When you look regionally, um I saw some comparisons over the weekend. You know, a lot of districts around us are between four and 7%. I'm going to

070show healthcare Wednesday night districts 20 and 30%. Districts that would love to have 13%. So, I do think like we can't fives. Uh but I do think the idea that we can have a 2% u school budget in in the world that we live in right now uh is also something manage that question relative to transportation. >> Sure. >> So how is that contract gets renewed? How often is it >> to find? >> And so like gas fees for as an example, is that fixed or is that volatile relative? It's a line item in the budget. >> Our gas are locked for next year. >> Tell you we're locked in for next year. >> But yeah, 27 28 they're not for. >> So this is where I think that I totally hear what you're saying,

071but there are to your point there are elements that are so out of our control. So I think everybody wants to see smaller numbers, but at the end of the day, there's a lot of stuff the health care, the cost that before you even get out the gate and actually start doing anything, it's already a certain percentage. >> Sure. >> So, it's really what is that delta, where is it going, and what's the impact on that money? I mean, that to me is the big conversation >> on the ability to turn the lights on and start the buzz for >> and that's my concern. Start talking about cutting. I'm not saying you don't explore it. I'm not saying you don't under, you know, turn every rock. You know, I look at this and say, is

072this really, is this really a value, right? Is there an opportunity here to save um and not refurbish the way we've already done? It's it's hard to not hit the program to go sign in, >> but is it in the right places or it's going to make a difference? have this proved to me and that ultimately is you know is where the dollar is allocated is it going to make a difference and that's >> becomes important because if it's not going to make a difference then it shouldn't be there. >> Yeah. Keeping the capital line >> put it somewhere where it is going to have that impact. Keeping the capital line makes future borrowing smaller. Repair bonds look smaller. By keeping the capital line, it can be reduced, but then you're looking at some version

073of bond in the future for more for even smallish problems. Kurt Kurt there's a lot every organization be it a business be a school district municipality is dealing with um cost control uncertainty, right? Um, but there's still realities. And I guess that's my point. It's like again, unless you want to continue growing at this pace, which I think we all agree is unsustainable, then you have to at least look at what those programmatic cuts might look like. And that's like I know you'd be very hesitant to put a list out there and get the community up for, but wait, our last our last referendum had under 10% of the uh community voting. So, if people are fired up like, "No, we have we can't allow these things to be cut." Great. Well, we'd love to

074see what the goals are here. Um, but again, this is something that's going to come up. If not today, eventually I'd at least like to know the conversation we're shying away from. Show me what that $450,000 reduction might look like. >> Not that we're shying away from, but I think the challenge is >> No, but everything we do in our district is important some >> great. So even I I appreciate for sharing the strength like the hard part about that one yes we should have that conversation every day with our workers but the other side of that is what you feel may be the core of our history right like so we've increased our social emotional supports over the last seven years uh whether or not that improves our student performance like I don't know

075you know whether or not that improves our graduation rate and our school attendance rates like we can draw some correlations if we don't have them like do you get rid of them and see if the numbers change kind of to your question about gate fees you know like >> I'm willing to take that risk with gate fees >> yeah no that's what I'm saying like you know so I do think like there like we could get rid of our theater program athletics we pay a million dollars in athletics you know our athletics budget is over a million dollars a year arguably like we don't have to do that when you get into like the mandated pieces and the nonmandated pieces I'm not I'm not uh not threatening anything not not threatening anything. Um I do

076think like you get into like it's hard to define what a community feels is a core element of our district. I I want to say to some extent it's all we love to your point like what is it the community wants and they come up and they vote for it and say this is what we want. Like we don't hear from people saying right now anyway this is too much. It's not sustainable. I I I'm willing to sacrifice some programs for tax base. We heard from you know grant challenge with with our communities. So I do think it's all the above. We're happy to have the conversation, but if you said like what don't we need to do? I could tell you what we're mandated to do and technically anything that we're not mandated to

077do, you know, we don't have >> that. Sorry, we're kind of doing our triangle a little bit, but I mean I think where that sort of gets me in between you two a little bit in that it's not the dramatic husk, but like kind of really like we're looking at any because it compounds any potential, you know, spot where we it could be a little bit lower this shares. Yes, pennies, but at the same time, you know, years down the road, it's much more than pennies. Um and to me that sort of social work position is that because I mean this kind of was an opportunity to actually reduce you know it so it to me it's effectively an ad and as like um I just feel like it was kind of this information about

078coming today was a little bit rushed and last minute and like I want to think I think that critically looking at like how are we delivering social emotional supports to people is an important conversation and I'm not sure that sort of jumping in and saying oh we have this extra FTE we move this over here is the most responsible thing to do just knowing that and we're kind luck and that it uh for the years down the line versus it's not a big cut but maybe that's something that we forgo and say that as a psychiatrist but we forgo you know until we like next year and kind of have a bigger look at like how are we delivering these services what are the needs versus sort of this you know getting getting statistics like

079the last but more of the it's a small step thing but that that matters questions I know it can be exciting conversation on Wednesday. You have something you have to say. You sound like look like you have something want to say. No, >> I'm afraid I'm just going to rehash. >> Okay. Things other people. >> All right. All right. So, we'll move on to be continued Wednesday. Um, may I have a motion for approval of the March 4th budget workshop meeting minutes? So move. >> Thank you that there's been a second. >> Second, Sally. Any questions, comments? All those in favor? >> Any like who's up there? No one. Um, may I have a motion for approval of the minutes from March 5th, special meeting minutes? >> Thank you, Heather. You have a second. >>

080Second by Steve. Any questions, comments? All those in favor? >> Any absention? >> Got Shannon and chair and abstaining. And may I have a motion for approval of the March 9th regular meeting minutes? Thank you, Heather. Second. >> Second, Steve. Any questions, comments? >> All right. All those in favor? >> Any extensions? >> Any names? >> Okay. All right. Next information proposals GSB building project. >> We keep this as a standing item. a lot. We uh working on a newsletter is right uh that we hope to get out this week. Uh and then we should also have the additional website on Friday. You're missing like the all the big things like you and Joe and I went to the board of >> fin standing room only meetings. >> Yes. >> Last month of finance. >>

081Yes. >> And they're coming back here again on Wednesday. >> Yeah. Um and also Heritage Village, we're going to do a road show there in April as well. They've invited us. Um so >> what's the next like we put that one of the other meetings that put forth that language that we So what's the next we have a hearing tonight. So what's the next step as far as the school >> later tonight? >> I do not do some good good interesting the square. >> Yeah. >> All right. Any other questions on the open project? >> Oh, sorry. The other piece of specs. So, we started working with that graph specs. Um hopefully you'll get a uh either an outline or a full version sometime early April. Uh we have to submit the clock with the

082application by June 30. So nothing done at the latest or very last meeting early June. >> We have to vote on her. >> Yes. That goes back. >> Does that have to be a regular meeting or be a special meeting too? >> All right. Um next we have board member comments. Any board member comments? Go ahead, Tom. >> So, I wanted to throw uh two bouquets. The first is um to Mr. Nelson, who is not here at the moment, but the entire uh performing arts staff. So, a couple weeks ago, the region had its first coral fest where they had coral groups from both middle schools and the high school all performing on one stage. So, I ended up in ensembles. Um, and not only was it a wonderful event, each group did one song,

083they actually kept it kept it moving. Um, but so much credit to the music teachers in those schools, a for the wonderful performances, and b for the logistical coordination of moving, you know, MMS into the blackbox, the high school back on stage, and then RMS out in the auditorium. It uh ran like clockwork. I was really impressed. I think this is something we're going to do uh year after year now, and I look forward to seeing it continue uh in the future. was a really great event. Um, the second bouquet I wanted to throw was to Joe, Josh, and Marian. You guys referenced that board of finance meeting. Um, I had a chance to watch it online and anyone can watch it the South Berry port finance meeting. You guys did a great job. You

084did a really good job and they weren't softballs. Like, you got to ask me some very difficult questions. Um, but what's very clear to me in watching it is how prepared you were. We've only been talking about for two and a half years. I guess I wouldn't expect anything less. Um, but what a wonderful opportunity. And it also just highlights even though we've been talking about this for three years, some people have only been listening for three minutes, right? And as much information as you put out there, we saw that the other night where a parent spoke at the hearing is very inthols and was still wondering if one mega school was still on on the docket. Right? So that just goes to show no matter how much communicating you do, there's still more word

085to get out there. If you haven't watched the video, I had to encourage it and I assume you do the same at Littleberries for invited you as well that offer >> you South because they invited you in. >> So I think the more opportunity we have on the pavement to answer those questions. Everyone has questions. Not everyone's paying attention. You did a really great job. Thank you. We're gonna uh so I will say thank you to uh Marian and Sally for Day on the Hill, right? You like it's a morning and this are there stuff that you do have other things that you do, right? Uh and um >> not really. >> Um I think uh as pointed out last time, it's been here a while and the middle area south dynamic has not always

086been the healthiest. Uh so I think it's really um thank you for going of course um but I think fantastic um a Southbury and a Middlebury are advocating you know for the good of the district. Um it's something that I like I still I just think it's amazing. So I just want to call it out. So thank you. Yeah, I was just gonna say something too, which was that I Yeah, it's a pleasure to go. It was uh not quite sure what to expect going into it, but it was it was nice. I you know, started out see before, but with um uh just the key uh kind of leadership speaking about there was we all have seen Josh's emails, how many bills there are and kind of talking about some of the uh you

087know, some of the highlights of it. But I but Senator Martha came in and said hello and then we uh uh it was the day when the homeschooling adult and so it was a very very crowded capital. We walked over with signs and a bullhorn but we kind of stuck back so we weren't too close to that because that was not something that was anticipated. Um >> we didn't bring the signs in a bullhorn. >> Well my bullhorn we did not bring any of that. It was it was it was but it was an interesting group of people. I was, you know, you know, from all over the state and um uh board members that had lots of different perspectives. So I found it actually really um impressive and like just an interesting experience and

088then a chance to kind of go around with Senator Hartley's staff about some objects and uh but it was yeah I would highly recommend it. It happens to be on my my Wednesday when doing work. So it worked out. Then the other thing I just wanted to do a shout out completely different subject the um one of our student representatives mentioned it but the um LMS PTO reading with the cat fundraiser I just have to say was spectacular success. It was in my house and I think that the PTO worked very hard because there was a lot of um competition and rounded up on the numbers minutes people read and they did a really nice job of encouraging the kids to read and um and I think a lot of time and effort went into

089a social Um comments from citizens. The board of education will recognize citizens for middle and south citizens are ask their name for child residents and to limit their comments few minutes. Anyone? Okay. All right. Here we go. Regular business requiring board action. May I have a motion for approval of the board adopting referendum language for school building project? Move that. move that the board of education approve a resolution entitled resolution appropriating $224 million to the construction of the two elementary schools to replace Palro Elementary School and Gainesfield Elementary School and authorizing the issue of bonds and notes in the same town to finance the portion of such appropriation not to grants currently estimated to be 64.2% eligible cost. Second, thank you. All right. Um, so we have our attorney here. You're welcome to stand over

090here. I'm sure we're going to get questions. >> Scratch the pole, too. >> Yeah, that'd be nice. Right. Um, so did anyone have any questions or comments or Go ahead, Steve. So just thinking about the the public that's going to read this like I don't know how flexible the language has to be but can we say like instead of such appropriation not afraid like can we just say reduced we buy grants or like like is that really going to like reduced by state grants or just something that makes it a little more understandable? Is that possible or is this like just like it has to be defraid? We've used the freight in the past uh particularly when we did projects I think it was three years ago the capital projects so people have seen the

091language before my personal choice I'd like to keep it that way um but I guess we could always change things so >> yeah I'm sorry Shannon go ahead >> oh sorry So, I just want to clarify because we got some new information today that seemed vague and kind of like break. So, I just want to make sure that like if this does pass, right? Like this 64 point like that's they can't change it. Like we are definitely going to get our ducks in the row to do this by June 30th, right? There's no because if we went over, we have to go back. Is that how this works? any legislation that's happening right now will hope to effect on line one going forward. This application and all the language that went into building the scenario

092is all based on this current year and the application by June 30th 2026. >> And so like I'm just absolutely clarifying because it's a significant cost defense, >> right? That we would absolutely get our dunks in a row. >> Oh yes. >> Okay. Just >> 100%. Yes. >> Just making sure, right? Because things happen, right? And and if we didn't have our ducks in a row, we'd have to go back because the number would be different, right? Because we're saying, right? Because that's my day. I don't know, we get I don't know, I don't want to say CO or another torrential rainstorm or whatever, right? Things have happened, right? That this like say goes to Janu July 2nd, January 2nd, right? Like we would then have this. It's not going to you don't be >>

093you will live here until >> you'll submit usually on like June 159. >> Okay, just there is a logistical question. >> Let's just say because if that last currently estimated to be 64.2 too. That's where that text becomes really important, >> right? Because if it is after June 30th, the current estimated uh percentage point would be different. So would in in that situation because we have an estimate in there, I don't think we would have to go back out to the public if the reimbursement rate changed because the overarching 224 million is still 224 million if the reimburseable rate. The reason you haven't this way is that >> is exactly to c to caveat the fact that it's not a guarantee >> if you get no fee. >> Exactly. So I actually think that yes

094they're going to get it in before it changes but if it does change this none of this is guaranteed and that's why it's estimated. So I would say >> we don't have to go back out. >> That's why it's done that way. Yeah. >> Exactly. But the internal conversation for sure we wouldn't necessarily go and say, "Oh, we got zero. We're just going to build 220 million." >> Yeah. Change the money. >> And then there's the public perception. We we put in what was a very realistic estimate. Um as opposed to kind of saying, "Oh, we're going to get 80% knowing we're really not going to get anywhere near that." And that would be >> disingenuous. Okay. >> So you are confident that it's going to be at least the 54 points estimated, right? >>

095Yes. >> Yeah. The finance folks here reimburse your space. >> Yeah. >> And space waver is not included. We're just looking for it. >> The space waiver doesn't factor in to your reimbursement rate. It allows you to get more at the reimbursement rate >> and Space waiver can be done at any point during like I go there's a district now five years after so I'll argue that space waiver s done hopefully will happen before May 6 this year but for any reason it doesn't be done that >> sally was fighting in Senator Hart's office telling it was great to Heather, >> I'm afraid mine is too silly to be in the middle of um the uh this language here just read out number is this um going to be engraved in spell because there's a

096spell >> yes or >> elementary. So, how do you how do you suggest we handle that? >> Um, you could make it's it's really there. So, it's not I don't think it's okay >> substantial enough to do the change, but if you felt more comfortable, you could say move that edited. >> The second the second one is the one. >> So, the first is to approve that language to go ahead and the second one is the one that's really >> as we're talking here. I'm gonna read another one just make sure it's messed up on the other one. >> But if you say it correctly. >> Yeah. >> I'll just say >> if he says that's okay then. >> Yeah. I don't say >> misleading there. >> Just be unfortunate that's >> No. when we

097send over the um notices to town clerks and whatnot, we will make sure all and correct. >> Okay, thank you for Thank you. >> Go ahead, Jeff. >> My question was folks showed up tonight to talk about turf field. Was there intent, thought, idea put that in with this or is that meant to be completely separated? And if it was meant to be completely separate, the fine that's tabled for a different time was meant to be put in with that. Doesn't that need to be considered? >> So Jeff wasn't there that meeting. So I um had asked for that to be a separate line item. It got voted down narrowly. So I think it's >> okay. >> Yeah. And it would have delayed. So that was the piece. was about not that people didn't particularly

098want to advocate for that because the fact that in order to get the information to be able to make a reasonable decision would have delayed our ability to get to referendums. So the minute we looked at that calendar and the time it kind of got pulled. >> I don't have an issue with it either way but to address that concern will be a separate item for us to discuss. >> It would be a separate item on a future date and I >> we'll discuss in the future date. >> I think it's going to go to finance and finance is an estimate. They have to really look at the scope. >> I just want to make sure it wasn't overlooked and by planning >> you want to um hear with that. No. Okay. >> Trust your

099>> All right. Any other questions or comments, Steve? >> So, we we tend to get into our own heads sometimes and um I just don't want to assume that our public won't understand. But I look at the cheshure question school that you went to see it says reduced the amount of such funds and notes to be reduced by the amount of project grants estimated to be received uh such as the estimated at 64.2%. Like I gonna die on that hill and I've workshopped this and brought up two people. Do you understand exactly what this means? Like if I said this to you, you voted yes, like what do you think you're voting for? How much money? What? And it just doesn't I don't know. I think the 642% needs to be really clear that it's

100a rejection. Um I agree actually because that that is something that getting questions about too like is it 224 is it? We've kind of spoken to that, but there are going to be people that go in there without having asked a question and and more plain language than defra. >> So should it be currently estimated to be 64.2% of eligible costs that you had to break it down? >> No, I just mean by the beginning the idea that >> see so I'm saying and and it's negative. appropriation not a like we're saying we're going to finance the portion of such appropriation you know reduced by grants you know which are currently estimated to be 664 like I don't know what has parenthesis um I just think >> you could leave the word not to grade

101from grants and then you could say currently destinated to be a 64.2% reduction in eligible costs that work. So you could add the word reduction in front of eligible cost. It's okay. >> I don't know if that would be >> I I just think defay derails the just not afraid like because I'm like defraid is paid like it's just um I guess the freight needs to pay. I guess it's not paid from grants. Yeah, the note the bonds and notes are going to be restricted to what's going to be the difference portion. So the negative is correct in the sense that we're covering what's not being covered by grants. Suz could we leave that and add the word reduction in between 64.2%. I get how about if we do this I'll put out in the

102parentheses bracket >> um in front of currently we how about if we put such reduction currently estimated to be 64.2% of estimated cost because that's really what the the reimbursement from the state is always based on what they determined to be eligible costs of the project. So I didn't I wouldn't want to mess with that end of the the bracket. So if um you know in front of currently if you want to put such reduction that >> or estimated reduction should be 64 cost or something like that. >> Yeah I like some version of that clarify. >> I've got um such appropriation to be reduced by the amount of grants. such appropriation to be reduced by the amount of grants currently estimated to be >> it would just be after appropriation it would just say

103to follow the treasure model which is a such appropriation to be reduced by the amount of projects they've had projects to be reduced by the amount of grants >> and then would you still have currently estimated to be 64% of the eligible costs >> and you want to would you still keep not from grants. >> No. So not to pray from grants is replaced by to be reduced by the amounts of grants. >> You have to put the word estimated in there. So first conversation. >> Okay. So it would sound like this. move that the board of education approve a resolution entitled resolution appropriating $224 million for the construction of two new elementary schools to replace Pars Elementary School and Gainfield Elementary School and authorizing the issue of bonds and notes in the same amount

104to finance the portion of such appropriation to be reduced by the amount of grants currently estimated to be 64.2% 2% of eligible costs. >> Did you Did you catch that line? >> Yeah. I'm trying I'm just kind of trying to keep it straight in my head. >> Yeah. want this to be right. I don't have to be a mistake or that fix it or you know this as we know from our fire meeting >> where there's a limited time to get this Yeah, he's saying it on the screen. >> If not, I have a motion. I just want to make it very clear that >> my personal recommendation is we should just go I don't understand why intent it to be a reduction 642 of eligible cost 64% reduction of eligible costs Guaranteed 80% of

105the public comes out of that poll thinking that they've just signed that they just voted for a bill on $224 billion% $224 million bill in there >> because they're not going to do the math of 64%. >> Not going to read it carefully. Nothing against the public that's how people read and process. You think has an excellent newsletter that'll promote her explain that >> Josh first motion I texted one thing >> I offer a new effort at this the title would be resolution resolution blah blah blah all the way through to authorizing the issue of bonds and notes in the same amount to finance the appropriation such authorization shall be reduced by grants currently estimated to be 64% build cost. Yeah, I like that. >> Okay, >> just a question. >> People need to like

106it's hard. So, can you just read that again, please? >> Resolution appropriating 224 million for the construction of two new elementary schools to replace Pomperog Elementary School and Gainfield Elementary School and authorizing the issue of bonds and notes in the same amount to finance the appropriation and semicolon. Such authorization shall be reduced by grant actually should make it by grants received. And then quote deep packeted language as it is >> notes in the same amount to finance the appropriations >> semicolon >> such authorization shall be reduced by grants received >> and then in brackets >> such authorization or such appropriation >> no it's not the appropriation that's going down it's the bond authorization. >> So such authorization >> or if you'd like to make keep it clear, I don't know how adding more words, but

107we could say such borrowing authorization >> that a little bit clearer my matters. Say such borrowing authorization or such authorization shall be reduced or just reduced by grants. >> Definitely will be reduced by grants received >> grants received currently estimated to be 64.2. >> That makes the bracket sense. >> Okay. So notes in the same amount to finance the appropriation. >> Yep. Semicolon. >> Such borrowing authorization >> such borrowing authorization shall be reduced by grants >> received and then current >> currently estimated to be 64.2% of eligible costs. I am so nervous that we don't lo but we were still streaming. Okay. So what if we read it again because we have to change that >> again, right? Yeah. >> And to get this motion, >> we should we have to do a motion to

108amend. >> Right. Okay. >> And then amend it and then vote on it and then then approve it as amended >> and then as amended. >> Oh gosh. Okay. I'm so glad you're here. Um to to what I would just really like is to have >> I need it written out. >> Can we take a motion to a journ and then maybe type it up and project it or something? We could do How about a motion for recess? >> Second. Motion for recess. >> Sorry. >> Did it first. I thought you did it. >> I put it on the table. Second. >> Right. All those in favor. I recess. >> Agree. And then and then I think we should also modify the language on the second but you can't do that until after. >> Thank

109you, Steve. Oh my gosh. show up would have been like it's cuz we didn't change language. >> On sale 64% with 224 million. says >> just like you take a look at the screen up here and see >> he's he's edited on my laptop right now. >> Okay. All right. So, this may or may not be Please, I'll send you back. Please don't worry. >> Okay. >> You know, I screwed up your spacing, though. It's fine. I don't care about that. Oh, I can fix that. What's that weird circle other uh Yeah. So someone's going to have to Yeah. language. >> Okay. >> Then it's like you have to vote to amend it and then you >> motion. Yeah. Jen agrees. So, whoever made the >> motion to go into cyber elementary school such authorization

110shall be reduced by grants received currently estimated to be 64.2% % I think so but >> like we only got one shot. Let's go a long day. on the screen there. >> That's what >> we correct. Actually, is everybody happy with that? >> I want a recess. >> Okay. So, we're we're out of recess. Um, and the question to our attorney is, are you okay with this language? >> Yes. >> Okay. Are we all right? We're Yeah, we're out of resets. Yeah. So, I'm going to >> No, no, second. I just want to make sure everyone's before we withdraw anything. >> Shannon. Okay. >> And Heather. All right. >> So, we just have to wait for them. >> Can I ask? >> Yeah, you can ask a question. >> Proceed question. So for the next

111one, we just we don't we're not locked into this. >> No. So what happens is that I I just asked Josh this question. So >> what happens for the next question is the person I'm going to ask for a motion for approval of the language to be sent to referendum for school building project. And then whoever is going to make that motion is just going to read what's on there and not Um, and Heather, are you going to withdraw? >> Y. >> Okay. So, you're going to withdraw the motion and make a new motion. >> Make a new motion. So, I want to wait till Shannon did the second on that for withdraw. We vote on that. Person withdraws it. >> She just withdraws it because didn't >> I wonder. >> Sorry. Right. We are

112We are out of recess. >> Yeah. So, I'm going to withdraw the motion and make a new motion. move that the board of education approve a resolution entitled like >> have you withdrawn your withdrawing your motion >> and make a new motion. >> Okay. So now may I have a motion for approval of the board adopting referendum language for second? >> Yeah. >> Is this when we apply for our grant one of the minutes that we're going to have to send? >> Yeah. You'll sign those minutes and every time we issue the box. So when we do bands these Yes. Let's take a motion just for just to make sure. >> Okay. I think you motion discussion. >> Okay. So you're going to move to withdraw a motion. >> Sure. >> Is there a second?

113>> Second. >> Any discussion? >> All those in favor? >> I. Any nays? You're you're objecting yes to withdrawing the motion. Correct. Okay. Um any other nays? Any abstensions? All right. It carries. So the motion has been withdrawn. So now may I have a motion for approval of the board adopting referendum language for school building project. move that the board of education approve a resolution entitled resolution appropriating $224 million for the construction of two new elementary schools to replace Pamperog Elementary School and Gainfield Elementary School and authorizing the issue of bonds and notes in the same amount to finance the appropriation. Such borrowing authorization shall be reduced by grants received currently estimated to be 64.2% 2% of eligible cost. Do you have a second? Sorry. All right. Any discussion? Go ahead, Heather. I just want

114to I'm sorry I stopped. I'm back. To your knowledge, to your mind, this is this is good, clear, legally holds up. >> Yes. >> Good stuff. Right. >> Shannon, are you okay with this? Can Can I ask a question though? >> My concern, right? Is because like this is it. We're out of time and we're changing something on the fly, right? And and we have made changes before and have missteps and had to come back. So, I'm concerned that us changing us on the fly could put us at risk. So, this is why I'm concerned, right? Like I I don't know where like yes, this is good. that we have that official piece like because it to me when I read this like this was reviewed and looked at in advance and people behind on

115it right we're paying for review for a lawyer pers a loter perspective so that's my concern right so that's why I'm not comfortable changing it on the fly okay >> um so that's fine >> so can you weigh in on Shannon's question or point >> well I think the original language was correct and was fine and I think That's what you're referring to as being the review and such. Uh, this new language does not change the substance of the old language. I mean, it's new language. It's obviously different words, but it does get back to the same place. So, I'm very comfortable that it it is sufficient. It's legally sufficient. Um, and I think it says what we're looking to do. >> Okay. I was trying to get clarity over your comment. >> Were you

116concerned about the language or were you put concerned that there was a motion on a motion off withdrawn procedure or everything? >> No, it was defin because I know like I was typing curiously. I know you know being worked on and recess. So I just want to make sure that you know we had a legal opinion that this was um the right language to go with. That's why it's so important. Right. All right. So, all those in favor? I. Any nays? Any abstensions? Okay. It is unanimous. Thank you. Um may I have a motion approval of the language to be sent to referendum for a school building project. moves that the board of education approve a resolution entitled resolution appropriating $224 million for the construction of two elementary schools to replace Pompro Elementary School and

117Gainfield Elementary School and authorizing the issue of bonds and notes in the same amount to finance to finance the appropriation. Such borrowing authorization shall be reduced by grants received currently estimated to be 64.2% of eligible costs be approved by referendum vote and that said referendum be held on Wednesday May 6th 2026. >> Thank you Heather. Is there a second? >> Second by Sally. Right. Um any questions comments? Where did that tell me? It was different to you. >> No, no, no. So, what she added was if you look at the second, if you look at the second motion here at the end of that same language, >> you said something different. >> You said approve a resolution instead of approve recommending. >> Oh, did we change that now or no? >> Okay. So I should

118go back and say recommendation. >> Yeah. I think what you want to do is take that second block just substitute the resolution title and leave the front end of it. >> You just skipped half the sentence. >> We just Okay. So I have to go back and do that. >> So wait, do we have to start? Yeah. >> Clearly. Could you just clarify what you said again? >> Yes. >> Thank you. move that the board of board of education approve recommending that the resolution entitled resolution appropriating $224 million for the construction of two new elementary schools to replace Prague Elementary School and Gamefield Elementary School and authorizing the issue of bonds and notes in the same amount to finance the appropriation. Such borrowing authorization shall be reduced by grants received currently estimated to be 64.2%

119of eligible costs be approved by referendum vote and that said referendum be held on Wednesday, May 6, 2026. That's >> and that was seconded by Sally. >> Thank you. Um, any questions or comments on this? Right. Vote then. All those in favor? >> Any ns? Any extensions? It is unanimous. Thank you. Um, may I have a motion for approval of policy 1312 public complaints? >> Thank you. How much >> move board of education upon recommendation of the policy and curriculum committee approve policy 1312 public complaints as presented? >> Have a second. >> Second. >> Thank you, Tom. Uh, any questions or comments on this? >> Okay. Um, all those in favor? I any abstensions? All right. He carries. Uh, next I have a motion for approval of policy 3292 investment of funds. Move that the

120board of education upon recommendation of policy and curriculum committee approve policy 3292 investment funds as presented. >> Second. >> Thank you, Steve. Um, any questions or comments on this? >> Yes. >> Go ahead, Tom. So approval of this policy will require us to set up two object codes. So is that something sorry to add to the list is that something finance started at finance next week. >> Great. >> Any other comments or questions? >> All right. All those in favor? >> Any naysay? Any abstensions? Okay. Carries. Next, I have a motion for approval of policy number 4,000.14 4200.1 5145.44 of sexual harassment. Move that the board of education upon recommendation of the policy and curriculum committee approve policy number 400.14200.1 and 5145.44 sexual harassment as presented. >> Second. >> Thank you, Steve. Um, any questions

121or comments? >> No. All right. All those in favor? >> Any nays? Any abstensions? Right. Carries. Next, I have a motion for approval of policy 5113.13, work study, student employment, 5120, high school graduation requirements. 5132, dress and grooming. 5142 student safety. and 5145.14 on campus recruitment. Move the board of education upon recommendation of the policy and curriculum committee approved policy number 5113.13 work study student employment 5120 high school graduation requirements 5132 addressing 5142 student safety is 5145.14 on campus recruitment as presented. >> Second. >> Thank you Steve. Um any questions on this? All right. All those in favor? >> Any nay? Any abstensions? Right. It carries. Next, may I have a motion for approval of policy 6161.12312.3 Library material review and reconsideration policy 6161.1312.4 4 library collection development and maintenance policy 6161.1412 library display and

122program policy. Move that the board of education upon recommendation of policy and curriculum be approved. Policy number 6161.121312.3 library material review and reconsideration policy 6161.131312.4 Four, Library Collection Development and Maintenance Policy. >> 6161.1413121.5 Library display and program policy as presented. >> Thank you, Steve. Any questions or comments on this? >> Sorry. Any questions or comments? Discussion. >> All right. All those in favor? Any names? Any extensions? Pure numbers. May I have a motion for approval of policy? >> Sorry. It is audible. Move that the board of education upon recommendation of the policy and curriculum committee approve policy 9273 civil code is presented. >> Thank you Heather. I have a second. >> Thank you Heather choir. All right. Any comments or questions on this? >> It's actually civil code. Thank you. >> All right. Let me

123let me kill the mood. >> Thank you Tom. We need it. >> Um yes. So these this group of policies we reviewed a few months ago at PNC. Um, this is one I had some concerns about and in the time since I've had a chance to do a little bit of research and I think those are start those concerns got a little deeper. So, I know it's late, but I want to just point three things out to the board here. Um, this is a policy um that has 38 bullet points that if approved be requirements of the board still. Um, however, a lot of these are going to be very difficult to maintain. So, I have a concern about the enforcement of this policy. Um, we talked about that at TNC and we kind of

124agreed like yeah, this is a policy that isn't going to have as cheap because it's impossible to enforce. The problem with that is I think because it's a bylaw, it sets a really uh tenuous agenda. There are some bylaws we are very strict about enforcing, you know, like roll call votes. So to have something that we're just going to turn the other way and not really worry about enforcement is concerning to me. I'd like to try to avoid that confusion possible. The second concern I have, there's a lot of repetition in this policy. Again, 38 points by my account, at least 14 of them are already covered by other policies that we currently have on the books. In fact, a lot of this language is actually lifted verbatim from other policies that we currently have.

125Um, so I would like to uh I would like to not have that unnecessary repetition. In fact, that's one of the pieces in this policy. There's actually a line here that says board members will minimize unnecessary repetition, but it's in a policy where 40% of the the policy is unnecessary repetition. The third thing I'd like to point out is that if we were to approve this, this would make us an outlier as a district, um, of the 16 courts that won CA's level two board of distinction last year, only one of them, Westbrook, had this policy as presented on their books. Another district, East Hartford, had a version of 9273 that barred a lot of the same linkage, but they took those 38 bullets and cut it down to 15. The other 14 districts do

126not have a civil code in their bylaws. However, what they do have is a civility code in their community relations series, their 1000 series. And I like this idea a lot because it takes this idea of civility and expands it to the entire district as opposed to restricting it to the board. Um I found an example that I really like um from Wilton. I brought extra copies if anyone wants to see later on, but you can see they have cut their stability policy down to two paragraphs. It's very brief. Uh it's very broad. And if you want more specificity, there's room for an administrative regulation down at the bottom. So this is where I really like region 15. It would align us better with those boards that are one K level two boards of distinction,

127which I think is the whole reason we're doing this. It would eliminate all this unnecessary repetition and it would take this burden of enforcement off of us because it's no longer a bylaw the board, but it's community. Um, so what I would like to support tonight is I think we need to stand until that and I think we need to come back to the board with something in the community relations uh series. I know we have a lot on our plate, but I think if we had one or two good examples, we could knock this out like 10 minutes. As long as we keep it brief, as long as we keep it broad, we check that K box. But most important of anything, I want a policy that I feel good about, right? Something that

128rises to the standard I think we've set recently for policy making here in region 15. And this one just feels to me a little bit forced, a little bit flawed, and a little bit harsh. So, I would like to send it back and send something back to that is more broadly applied to the community. I'm happy to hear other people's thoughts. So just for context for the full board um oftent times um we will start policy discussions with behave model policy um and that is what happened here. I don't think um the committee had taken up the policy out of a um zeal for stability. Um we were strictly um looking at the cave um requirements for a level two level of distinction. Um and so that's where this came from and that's why this

129is for you right now. Um if we don't like this column state we happy to take that to BNC. Um but that's where it came from. That's why it's here. Y had her arm head up and then sharing. >> Well, yeah. I guess the question is like why is it here? Did it narrowly pass? Like then like if we were going to take it back like how did it end up here then? Um it did pass. Um PNC um I do think that um it was at the end of a policy review where we reviewed a few disperate policies the same night >> was at the same night. Um but uh yeah I think you know oftentimes we will just say you know let's just take the model policy on this one and that's what

130happened in this case. >> So I was just going to say based off your comment fact you're the chair based off your concerns I would be totally in support of going back and simplify because we shouldn't have a policy and just have policy to get a distinction. It should be a bylaw policy that appropriate for the district and to your point can be followed and adhere. So, and I hear I heard that you're receptive to it. So, if the chair is receptive to that, you're voting on it tonight personally. >> The question was just does that the level two would require that bylaw or just that you have something to that effect somewhere or >> I believe it just said there should be a civility cost. So this was their model policy they provided. Absolutely.

131>> And just just FYI, it's it's what state considers this a best practice to have a civil code. You know, whether we're exactly is just we're trying to do a model best practice. Um that that's why >> I think I mean I agree with Sharon who's agreeing with Tom. I just think it's kind of maybe just sounds like a bit of buyer's remorse now. Now that you make those points, it's like making a great we get it back. >> Yeah, we have to vote. We definitely have to vote to draw >> or we can just Yeah, >> we could just shut it down. Heather can withdraw it and then we can vote to have her withdraw it. All right. Go ahead, Heather. Why don't you move to withdraw it? >> Move to withdraw the approval

132of 90. >> All right. All those in favor? >> Any ns? Any abstensions? All right. To be as >> Thank you for your consideration. Um, next may I have motion for approval to apply to the commissioner of administrative services for a grant for the solar installation at Long Meadow Elementary School. Resolve that the Paparog Regional School District number 15 authorized the board of education to apply the Commissioner Administrative Services and to accept or reject the grant solar installation at the Long Meadow Elementary School. Thank you, Shannon. >> Second by Steve. >> Um, >> let's just get So, haven't we done that? >> No, the there was one motion pre-clarify so we need >> all right solar be done separately and there was was a motion there easier to do it now. >> Yep. Any other

133questions or comments? >> All right. All those in favor? Any nays? Any abstensions? >> It carries. May I have a motion for approval to establish a building committee for the solar installation at the Long Meadow Elementary School? Resolve that the PMO Regional School District number 15 building committee is hereby established as the building committee with regard to the solar installation at the Long Meadow Elementary School. >> Second. Thank you. Heather Rogers second. Um any discussion, questions? All those in favor? >> Any naysay? Any abstensions? No carries. Next, we have a motion for approval to authorize at least the preparation of schematic drawings and outline specifications for solar installations at the Long Meadow Elementary School. Resolved that the Plank Regional School District number 15 hereby authorizes at least a preparation of schematic drawings and outline specifications

134for solar insulation at the Long Elementary School. >> Thank you, Heather. Ro second. Any questions or discussion? All those in favor? Any naysay? Any abstensions? Right. Carries. Um, next may I have a motion established Pumpro High School graduation date. Move that the board of education set Pump High School's graduation date for June 20th, 2026, first state statute 10-161, establishment of graduation date that provides 180 days of school. >> Second by Tom. I think I heard. All right. Um, Mr. Smith, you want to talk about this? >> We feel that we're now safely to a point of the school year any sufficient weather in his past uh where we can set a meeting high school date. This follows the pattern that we've had for the last five or six years now uh by having it Saturday

135first Saturday after the last day of school. >> Great. Any questions? discussion. All those in favor? Any nays? Any abstensions? All right. Graduation date set for June 20th. >> Right. Next. May I have a motion to approve the 2026 2027 miscellaneous salary rate schedule? Move that the board of education upon recommendation of the finance committee approve the 2026 2027 miscellaneous salary rate schedule as dentist. Heather Rogers. Thank you. Any discussion or questions on this >> minor adjustments in the Paris sub rates? Sub. All those in favor? Any nays? Any abstensions? Great carries. And finally, I have a motion to approve transfer entry for February 2026. Move that the board of education upon recommendation of the finance committee approved the transfer entry for the solar at Long Meadow Elementary School in the amount of $422,981. >>

136Second. All right. Any discussion? It's from where to where it's it is a reclassification for state application. You're literally moving the money inside the capital plan which for 450. It's just the state application. I have to identify the boards identified a line. >> Any other questions or comments? Right. All those in favor nays. Any extensions? All right. Announcement of future meetings. Wednesday, March 25th, we have our budget staff, the boards of finance from both towns at 6:30 right here at the media center. Then Wednesday, March 25th, we have our public hearing for the 2026 2027 school budget at 7:30 school media center. Um, Monday, April 6th, PNC meets at the high school media center at six o'clock. And then Monday, April 6th, we'll have our regular meeting of the board of education at high school

137media center at 7:30 where we will be adopting the 2026 2027 school budget. We have a motion to adjourn. second by Shabbat. I think so.