RHAM Board of Education - February 23, 2026

001to order and we'll do roll call. Mike Buller, Rudy Delury, >> Kirstston Erlandson, >> Kirstston Erinsson, president. Andover, >> Pam Ferington >> Mar >> Carrie Frino, >> Drew Gin, >> Drew Golfin, Marorrow, >> Jessica Hall, Hein, >> Amy Romanchuk, Amy Romanchuk, Marorrow, Scott Soyette, >> Scotty, Andover, >> uh, Lisa Touty, Okay. Um, and Heather Summer from Hebrin and our student representatives, Briana Adupu, Yousef Ahmed, and Avery Seroviac. Okay, we can all stand um for the pledge of allegiance. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. All right. Hein Andover and Marble community engagement and attendance at BOE public meetings is welcomed. The public comment segment of the meeting agenda is set aside

002so the BOE may receive public comments. Procedurally, public remarks will be limited to three minutes and citizens will be asked to identify themselves and the town they are from. Because the BOE is limited by the Freedom of Information Act to discussing only matters on the agenda, the BOE is not permitted to engage in a discussion of the comments presented. Is there anybody that would like to make public comment? >> Kim has her hand up. Kim Kaine. >> Hi, Kim Kaine. He Connecticut. Um, I'm commenting about the proposed 2% decrease in the RAM budget that you asked Dr. McNamera to take action on. Among the cuts to the budget is a reduction in teaching staff, and I'm asking as you review the budget that no further cuts to the teaching staff be taken. I understand that

003Hebrin's proposed education budget is high at 9.78%. Their initial increase was 5.90% still higher than Ram's initial 4.77% increase. When their budget included teach cutting teaching staff, parents were vocal about their opposition to this and those staff were added back into the budget. They haven't looked at their budget for creative ways to decrease spending. They are just going forward with the large increase. As you know, Andover has proposed 11% budget increase. Again, they haven't come up with ways to reduce it as of yet. They have not pro they have not proposed cutting teaching staff. Marorrow has proposed a 3.57% increase, much lower than the other two towns, which includes reducing one of their principles to a 200 200 day assistant principal and a reduction in paraprofessional staff. Again, no teaching staff are being reduced. The

004current 2.77% proposed RAM budget is much lower than what two of our sending towns are proposing. Shouldn't their boards of ed be asking their leadership to find ways to reduce their budgets instead of us? Ram shouldn't have to slash their budget because the other towns are not inclined to do so. Of course, as REA president, I don't support reduc any reducing any of our teaching staff. When I addressed you in December, I mentioned the excellent talented staff at RAM and the unique learning opportunities we provide to the students at RAM. Part of our strategic plan under talent management is to attract and retain a strong staff. We have worked hard to recruit new talent. Let's not lose them. Further reductions to the budget will have a detrimental effect on the students and the programs that

005are available to them. RAM has an excellent educational reputation as you know and we would like to re maintain that. I implore the board to support these needs in the budget. Thank you. >> Thank you Kim. Is there anybody else that would like to make public comment? >> There's uh two other hands up I believe Tara M and maybe have Tara M go first. >> Sure. Tara, >> hi. Can you hear me? >> Yes, we can. Uh, I apologize sincerely for my voice. I'm a little bit under the weather. Um, thank you for having me tonight. Um, I'm here because of the repeated concerns that have been >> raised. Sir, can you provide your name and address, please? >> Sorry. Um, Tara M 234 Flood Road, Marorrow, Connecticut. Um, I'm here for the repeated concerns

006that have been raised regarding the issues that have been primarily impacting our female athletic program. And to date, there has not been a clear substantive response outlining how these concerns are being addressed. I reviewed the title nine document on the region 8 site which is explicit in its mandate that quote no person in the United States shall be on the basis of sex be excluded from participation in be denied the benefits of or be subjected to discrimination under any educational program or activity receiving federal or financial assistance. The 2024 regulations further clarify that when a district has knowledge of conduct that reasonably may constitute sex discrimination within its educational programs, it must respond promptly and effectively. Silence, delay, or the absence of transparent corrective action creates optics that are difficult to reconcile with that obligation,

007particularly when the concerns raised disproportionately affect female student athletes. I'm not here to assign blame. I'm here to promote governance, accountability, and prevention. We are asking for formalized, written protocols that ensure equitable oversight moving forward. That includes clearly defined and transparent hiring practices for athletic coaches grounded and objective criteria and conflict of interest safeguards. It includes consistent evaluation standards applied equitably across boys and girls programs. It includes structured exit interviews for departing coaches conducted by neutral review body composed of both administration and parent representation. so patterns, climate concerns or equity issues can be identified and addressed early. Additionally, there must be a regular documented review of athletic director actions, inactions, and sphere of influence to ensure decisions are aligned with district policy, equitable practice, and title 9 obligations. Oversight mechanisms are not punitive. They are

008protective. They ensure transparency, prevent appearance of bias or inequity, and safeguard both student and the district. Our female athletes deserve to know that their programs are valued equally, overseen equitably, and supported in the same urgency and transparency as every other program. We respectfully request documented review, clear communication, and concrete steps demonstrating how the district is ensuring compliance with its Title N responsibilities and restoring confidence and equitable leadership. Thank you. >> Thank you, Tara. Heather Little. >> Heather, are you on mute? >> She's on. >> Eric, are you able to unmute her? >> No, I can't unmute somebody. Um, Heather, if you're having any issues, you want to type your comments, you could you can put your comment in. >> So, Tara, if you can hear me, but you can't um communicate with us, we're not

009hearing you. What I would say is if you have a public comment that you'd like to make, you can type it into the chat box during the duration of the meeting and we can make sure that it's included in the meeting minutes. >> But otherwise, Heather, I think we're going to have to move on with technical difficulties. >> Okay. All right. Um, are there any items that we needed to add or delete from the agenda? So, just the the one thing, Heather, I I had touched base with you about this earlier on is that um, the students and the faculty adviserss for our uh, model UN group that was planning to do the uh, be a part of the student program spotlight, they actually requested that they prefer to do the presentation in person. So,

010if we could just when we get to that part of the agenda, we'll just table that agenda item for a future meeting when we can get them in and do that and have that as a student program spotlight. We uh we appreciate the work that they did to to put together a presentation. We want to make sure that we uh um you know, get them in front of us. >> Okay. >> Hey, Heather, this is Mike. I just want to let you know I think during the meeting a minute or two late, but I uh update the minutes to reflect. >> Okay. Thanks. >> Thank you. >> All right. Did any of the student representatives join? Looking for their report? Okay, that will bring us to the board chair report. Um I did um Scott

011Soette has agreed to be the Cape representative um for the coming year. So, thank you very much for that, Scott. I they communicate a lot. I think you know what they're really looking for is for um for you to report out on a monthly monthly basis. Um I did participate in the board chair check-in last week which was really about the state budget um and ways that we can help. So CAB has communicated with folks about the day on the hill. If you're interested in doing that um please let me know. Um they're looking for people to go. there's a report out at the Bushnell and then we can make appointments for our legislators to discuss any items um that we would like. And then finally, next week, actually, no, I'm sorry. This week, I

012will be participating in um a deep dive on the budget, which is a workshop that CAB is hosting um because everybody is, you know, obviously doing their budgets um right now for the next for the next school year. So, that's it for me. uh Colin, that'll bring us to the superintendent report. >> Yeah. So, thank you. So, there's just a handful of things I wanted to share. Um uh last week we actually had our midyear graduation, which is always a great event. We had about four or five students that graduated midway through the year. um they'll be able to now um you know enjoy some some downtime for the for the remainder of the the school year and certainly um able to participate in all of the senior events that take place um as we

013go into the spring and towards graduation and participate in our regular graduation as well. Um so we're excited for them. Um also last week had a one of my again just one of my favorite events. The boards heard me talk about this unified basketball at the middle school took place. Went down to that. It was great to see the kids enjoy themselves. Um, and we actually have another unified I know we have another middle school unified game coming up in mid-Marchch. Um, we can make sure that we get that that date to the board if any board members are are able to come. Um uh the other thing that I'll just mention briefly is that um I was really happy that last week when we had that weather um pattern that was moving in and

014we were a little concerned about whether or not we were going to have to close early and I was really happy to not have to close early. I think it was I think it was Friday. Um because our girls volleyball team was who of course won the state championship again this year was invited to a really special opportunity which was to actually attend a um a Yukon girls basketball team practice and uh observe the practice um at Yukon campus and then at the conclusion part of it was that um coach Aryama was going to talk to the to the team about you know what it takes you know a winner's mindset what it takes to be um you know successful when you when you compete at that level. Um and you know obviously the the

015notoriety and the the the incredible talent that is a part of that team that they have this year, but obviously just coach Oriama's success um in that in that realm is is really unmatched. Um, so it was just a great opportunity and and I was again I was like I would have been so upset if I had to um um cancel school or close school early because of that because obviously we we shut down afternoon and evening activities when when we do that. And uh uh again the weather was agreeable to us that day. It was not agreeable to us today and it will be agreeable to us for tomorrow. But uh but again, it was a great opportunity for our girls volleyball team and the coaching staff to be able to go to Yukon

016and hear from coach Aryama. So that uh that concludes my my report. You're muted, Heather. >> Yeah, Heather, you're on mute. >> Sorry. I was trying to be, you know, not have you guys hear background. Um, so this is brings us to the student program spotlight. Um, that we're gonna do we need a motion to table that or we just Okay, so we'll do it next time. All right. And that will bring us to the consent agendas. You're muted now, Colin. >> All right, we got to break this cycle. Um, so there's a quite a few minutes from regular meetings and special meetings that we had. We had some budget workshops, special meetings. Um and also as a part of the consent agenda is the approval of policies after revision or um or for deletion.

017Um there were four policies that came forward after the last meeting. Um and those uh again didn't have any questions about any of those policies. Um so I would recommend that th those mot approved as a part of consent agenda. I I believe Scott, if I'm not wrong, one of the meeting minutes has a misspelling of your name. Could you remind me which one that is so we can make sure we get that fixed? >> Yeah, I think it's the fourth one in the list. Uh I don't remember what date it was. >> Executive session. >> Yep. All right. Fantastic. We'll make sure that we uh we adjust that those minutes and before we get those posted on our website. So other than that, again, I I recommend the consent agenda be approved as presented.

018>> Okay. Do we have a motion? >> So moved. Scott. >> We have a second, Drew. Thank you. Any other discussion? All in favor? >> I. >> Anyone opposed? Anyone abstain? Okay. Thank you. And that will bring us to new and unfinished business, the presentation and possible action regarding the 2024 2025 audit. >> So, at this time, I will turn it over to Eva to introduce our guests who are going to present their findings from the audit. >> All right. So joining us this evening is Katherine Patnod. She is the lead partner on our um audit I guess is the best way to put it. She has a presentation in place for uh review of the audit. So to bring the board up to speed on um what and if anything they found. Um and

019um we'll leave it over to Katherine. >> Thanks Eva. Good evening everyone. Um, so like she said, I'm going to go through the 2425 audit. Um, and I'm happy to answer any questions that you have on it. Um, so we're going to take a look at the highlights from the annual financial report, um, as well as required communications to the board, um, recommendations as well as future considerations. So, taking a look at the financial statements, um, you received an unmodified opinion on the financial statements. So, that's the clean opinion that you're looking for. The management's discussion and analysis or MDNA is a good executive summary of the fiscal year operations. So, that's a good place to start if you want to get a highle overview. um changes from your 2024 audit was the implementation of

020Gatsby statement number 101, compensated absences. Um compensated absences are those sick and vacation liabilities on the governmentwide financial statements on exhibits A and B. Um the statement, the implementation of this increased the liability and decreased the net position by 532,000. Um this was primarily because in the past sick and vacation had only been considered if there was a payout and now under the new standard it was required to consider if there was any use of acred vacation or sick time. So that added to the liability um on every one of my clients. Um also different this year is you had no single audit as your state grants were below the state threshold of 500,000 which did get increased this year. Um, previously the state's threshold for a single audit was 300,000 and then um your

021federal grants were below the federal threshold of 750,000. So you didn't need a federal single audit either. Taking a look at the governmentwide activity on exhibits A and B. Your capital asset additions totaled 1.5 million. These additions included the track replacement, repair of athletic fields, carpets, HVAC, um, window security film, Chromebooks, and security cameras. Um, the long-term debt decreased 356,000. This was due to debt service payments of 577,000 partially offset by a new note payable of 220,000, which was for IT equipment. Taking a look at the governmental funds on a GAP basis. These can be found on exhibit C, D, and E. The general fund, um, the fund balance decreased 390,000 from the prior year, which we'll take a look at shortly with the budgetary highlights. Um, this brought you down to a fund balance

022of 2,698,000. The capital improvement fund remained pretty much the same as last year, um, with an ending fund balance of 59,000. um since your capital outlay was pretty comparable to the assessments um and approved projects. The capital non-recurring fund decreased $852,000 from last year down to 300,000. Um this was mainly due to a $787,000 transfer out to the new reserve for general education fund. um this reserve for general education fund um new fund this year due to the revised statute about the unexpended 2% appropriations. Um so that increased 1.1 million due to that transfer from capital non-recurring as well as 625,000 of unexpended general fund funds from prior years. Um, your other governmental funds include the grants, school activity, and school lunch funds. Um, these had a slight decrease of 37,000 down to fund balance

023of 834,000. Now, taking a look at your general fund budgetary highlights, these can be found on RSI 1 in the audit. Um, your total revenues were below budget by 1 million. This was primarily due to the member town assessments which were 832,000 below budget. Um this was planned for when you look at your adopted budget in 2425. Um you budgeted for membertown assessments of 31,294,000. Um but then you did have a uh membertown levy enrollment credit offset of 830,000 um from prior year surpluses. So, this was planned. Um, it's just the way it needs to to be budgeted to have a balanced budget, which is why it looks like it has such a negative there. And then intergovernmental revenues were 163,000 below budget. Um, primarily due to the excess cost grant came in under budget.

024Um, but your special ed costs were also lower than expected. There was also an appropriation of fund balance of 625,000. This was from the fiscical year 24 surplus and got transferred out to the reserve for general education fund. Taking a look at the expenditures, those were well below budget by 1.2 million. This included central services being below budget by 56,000 primarily due to personnel savings. Operation maintenance of plant was below budget by 229,000 um mainly to HVAC repairs that did not occur. and transportation was below budget by 211,000 um mainly due to change in student placements. And then for fiscal 25, you had a budget surplus of 2135,000 um which can be calculated by taking your total underspent budget um less those revenues that were below budget. So now there are required communications with those

025charged with governance. This was a letter you should have received um electronically. Um this letter states that our responsibility is to form and express an opinion about whether the financial statements are presented fairly in all material respects. It discusses significant estimates which include the OPED or other post-employment benefit liability as well as the compensated absences liability. Um we discussed that disclosures are neutral, consistent and clear. Um, we mentioned we had one past adjustment. Um, this was 61,000. Um, we passed on reporting accounts payable for services that were incurred during fiscal 25, but they were budgeted for in fiscal 26. Um, it's just that the work was started earlier than planned. And we had no material corrected misstatements. Um, we did request and receive management representations and it discusses that we are independent of the district.

026Now we'll take a look at the one recommendation that we had on general ledger recordkeeping. Um this recommendation is mainly to just um promote clearer classification reporting in the general ledger. Um so to one separately track the interfund and intergovernmental transactions um just so they're in separate accounts. Um implement periodic reconciliations of interfund balances across funds just so those are fully reconciled at year end. um as well as developing or refining procedures for recording accounts payable and retainage at year end. Um you don't often have a lot um you don't have a lot of capital projects, but it's just something to look at at your end. And then a few future considerations, some Gazsby standards that are coming up down the road. Um financial reporting model improvements, Gazsby 103. This will be effective for fiscal

027year 26. Um the main items in here are the management's discussion and analysis. This clarifies and updates the guidance for preparation of it um to improve the equality of the analysis of changes from the prior year. So the big change you'll see is just more discussion into the why things changed. Um you don't have proprietary funds so that it doesn't affect you. Um so the only other part is the budgetary comparison information. Um, with this standard, you're now required to explain significant variances in the notes to RSI. So, currently those are in the MDNA. They'll just get pulled out of there and put in RSI. So, they'll still be there, just in a different place in the financials. Gasb 104, disclosure of certain capital assets will also be effective for fiscal 26. Um, this will

028be pretty minor change. Actually, I don't it won't affect you at all. um because it just says that right to use lease and subscription assets must be presented separately by major capital major asset class. Um currently you only have um leased machinery and equipment. So that's already broken out separately. So that won't cause a change there. And then if you had any capital assets held for sale, they would have to be disclosed. And then the last Gazsby standard that is coming out is Gazsby 105 on subsequent events. This will be effective for fiscal year 27. Um this just clarifies the subsequent events that would be recognized or non-recognized events and it establishes specific note disclosure requirements for non-recognized events. That's all I have for you and I'm happy to answer any questions. >> So Mr.

029Gin, did the discussion on the 832,000 answer your question? >> Yes. >> Perfect. I'm glad to hear that. Are there any additional questions that folks may have for Katherine? >> Um, a couple of the acronyms there, uh, >> GAP, I know I've seen, but I've forgotten what it is. >> Generally accepted accounting principles. >> Accepted. Okay. I kind of I got almost off it. And uh GA Gazsby >> um the governmental accounting standards board >> board. Okay. Um I did have a question I was going to ask. No, I think it was answered. Okay. Thank you. You're welcome. >> Great. Well, thank you very much, Katherine. We appreciate your time with us today. Of >> course. Thank you. >> Okay. So, um, we need a motion that the region 8 board of education accept the

0302024 2025 budget audit. >> So, before we do that, did we I don't remember getting a copy of the audit. >> So, unfortunately, you would have received it this evening. >> Uhhuh. But >> we're here. Okay. So, we got to relax. It is posted online um in case anyone is looking for it on our website and there are copies in each of the town halls as well. >> And the letter the the >> No, those letters will be coming to you um with the book. Um I feel like we had an electronic copy that may have been presented to the board, but I'm not sure if that happened because of today as well in terms of um timing and and what >> Yeah, I don't recall seeing it. Yeah. >> Yeah. So, most likely we'll

031get that to you. um as soon as possible after this meeting. >> So So is it proper for us to accept the audit without actually having possession of it? >> So obviously that's an individual choice. I mean if it you know if somebody wants to make the motion and accept it without seeing it then they could do that. I mean like like Eva said it's publicly available. >> Yeah. I didn't see I didn't realize it was on our website, so I didn't I didn't get a chance to look at it. >> Can we table it for next meeting? >> I'd like to. >> Let's do that. >> A motion was never made. So, we could certainly just have this be an agenda item for >> Okay. >> Yeah. So, I'm I I guess you can

032make a motion to table this till the next meeting. >> Except that's to a motion, which we we don't have. Well, it's it's so it's it's discussion and possible action. So, I don't think we need to table it. We could just simply add it to >> the next agenda >> to the next agenda. >> Um I I think that we will have to table 10.2, which was um the discussion of, you know, as as um as we were just informed, there's a there was a surplus um from last year's budget of $235,000. Um so, we'd have to table 10.2 to until the board is ready to accept the audit. >> Yeah. >> What is what does that do with the timing of the budget process? >> It's it it doesn't really h it doesn't have

033any impact. Eva, unless you tell me I'm wrong, I don't think it has any impact. No, I believe what was discussed with the facilities and finance subcommittees in our joint um meeting was that this money was going to be put um into holding pattern for the athletic uh fields improvement that we we need to um >> try to put some savings together so that we can um finalize what needs to be done there. >> So So and there was you know the the amount of $235,000 is it's not like we had any immediate plans for that money. Basically, we left it at, you know, there's two outstanding projects from the um field assessment that was done. Um we're looking at uh fixing one of I I'm going to forget which one it is. Either 316

034north or 316 South still needs >> South. >> Thank you. Um so we need to still work on 316 South um because that that field is is still in need of uh being addressed. And then also the the drainage issue for the outfield of the baseball um field. Those are really the next two priorities. We hadn't even landed on which one we'd want to go with first. So, um, it really doesn't have any impact, Heather, at all. >> Okay. All right. >> Yeah, with two feet of snow on them, it's really not going to happen for a little while. >> We've got plenty of time. And there's there's more snow on the horizon, Drew. So, you know, >> I know. I know. >> Did you Did you give us a hint about the school tomorrow

035earlier in the meeting? >> There was no hint. Uh the me the message was sent out I think at 4:00 today that school is canceled for tomorrow. >> Oh, okay. All right. >> I didn't mention it in the meeting, but Okay, good. Thank you. >> Okay, that'll bring us to 10.3 discussion and possible action regarding the Ram High School 2026 graduation date. >> Yeah. So, there was a memo in your packet and up until about 4:00 today. It said uh that our my initial recommendation was going to be to establish graduation date of um Friday the 12th. Uh, obviously we don't want to establish it for Friday the 12th because we missed today, which would have pushed it to Monday the 15th. But with school being closed on Tuesday the 16th, I'm sorry, with school

036being closed tomorrow, um it means that my recommendation now has moved that um the RAM graduation date be established for uh Tuesday, June 16th, 2026. >> Okay. Do we have a motion to accept um to approve the 2025 Ram High School graduation date of June 16, 2026? >> Can I ask a question? >> Does so if we vote on it and it's approved, does it move if you have more snow days in March? >> It does not. The reason that we need to It's a great question, Jess. And the reason we need to establish it is because we need to lock in a number of different things. We rent furniture. We rent furniture and staging, uh, chairs and staging for graduation. So, we need to lock that date in that we're that we're actually going

037to do it. And the other big thing is our project graduation, which is, uh, thankfully run by, uh, Tres Gardano and our friends at AHM. Um, and they need to lock in when we are actually going to have the, uh, graduation night because they have to secure the location um, where uh, project graduation is going to be held. So, the last day of school, if there's if there's a weather event that requires us to close school again for any reason, graduation date will remain on the 16th. Um, but the last day of school would simply move. Um, and our seniors would uh would get out a little bit before our underassman, but it does happen from time to time. Um, but it's the way it is. >> They're not asked to show up anyway those

038last couple days. >> I'm I'm hoping, listen, I'm hoping there's no more cancellations. I I I always said I said to my kids when they were in high school and school age, I'd said, "Guys, you'd rather be going to school on a cold day in December, January, or February than going to school on a a nice beautiful day in June." So, I think we're all feel like I'm good if we don't have any more snow days. Okay. So, do we have a motion? >> I'll make a motion. >> Thank you. >> I'll second it. >> Second, Amy. Thank you. Any other discussion on that? All in favor? I >> I. >> Anyone opposed? >> Anyone abstain? >> Okay, that will bring us to 10.4. Discussion and possible action regarding the special education transportation request for

039proposal. It's in closure 10.4. >> Happy to have Eva take this one as well. >> All right. So, um, we had a collaborative request for proposal between regional school district 8 and Hebrin Elementary School. Um, we had bid openings on February 9th as part of all the submissions. We received three submissions. All three were qualified vendors. Um so that we proceeded to um review the submissions and based on price um we went with the lowest price um submission and that is ambassador wheelchair services and um the recommendation is hopefully that the board will uh approve Colin to enter into contract with uh ambassador um after this step when the board votes on it. It will go to the Hebrin board of education as well for their um thoughts on the process as well. >> Are

040there any questions that the board may have at this time? >> Yeah, one question that uh I assume there's cost changes associated with this this contract. Is that already into the budget, the proposed budget? you have >> it has not been put into the budget as of this point in time um due to the timing of when everything was received and when the 2.77 was developed but also in March is when the insurance consortium um finalizes the health insurance rate that we will be utilizing and um since I believe it's 15% is in the budget now um last known number looks like it's going to go up um in percentage age points. So, this will we we're going to keep putting stuff in additions and subtractions um the adjustments into the budget until the board

041finalizes the budget in March. >> Yep. So, how big a difference in cost is is this over a current year? >> Um so, based on the current information that we have based on the current students and enrollment that is in that is known to us, um it's about $109,000 savings. Yes. >> Savings. Okay. >> Yes. Oh, better. Okay. Do we have a motion? >> I'll make the motion. >> Thank you, Scott. Do we have a second? >> I'll second it. >> Go ahead, Rudy. >> Rudy. >> Yep. >> Any other discussion on that? All in favor? I >> I. >> Anyone opposed? Okay. Anyone abstain? Sorry. All right. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> All right. That brings us to the personnel report which enclosure 10.5. >> So there's uh just uh two resignations that

042I needed to share as a part of this month's uh personnel report. Amy Maloney who has been a health and wellness teacher for the district. Um she resigned effective June 30th, 2026. Um she's been with us since 2022. Um and then also Pat Marrian who is a social studies teacher at Ram High School has resigned effective February 13, 2026. He has been employed with the district uh since August of 2020 uh 2012. Uh and I certainly wish Amy and Pat all the best as uh Amy stays home with her baby and Pat moves into a into a new position outside of education. That concludes my personnel report. >> All right. Do you want to go into the discussion of subcommittee consolidation 10.6? >> Yeah. So, there's a memo in everybody's packet. Um, as Heather just

043alluded to, it's enclosure 10.6. Um, you know, I realized I think after our last uh facilities and finance joint subcommittee meeting that I I think it's been close to a year since we've had a separate meeting. Drew, you might help out with that, but I think it's probably been about a year since we've done a separate facilities meeting or separate finance meeting. And that got me thinking about um you know, does it make sense to have uh have those two um subcommittees as as standalone separate subcommittees? Because every time we're talking finances, we're talking a lot, well, not every time, but most of the time we're talking about finances, we are talking about facilities projects. And we've got some obviously on the horizon coming up with the bonding that we're looking to do for next

044year. And every time we talk about facilities, there's always obviously finances involved. So, it really seemed to make sense to me to to consolidate those two committees. At the same time, um we have also the program subcommittee and the policy subcommittee. The program subcommittee meets very infrequently. It really, you know, it pops up when we have a new course to to to bring to the board or it pops up when we have a um a textbook that needs to be um approved by the board of education. Um and you know, it's policy subcommittee does meet more frequently. We've done a lot in the past three years to really o uh revamp and and and update our our policy handbook. Um which we are really we've done the line share of that. Um, but it is

045always good, I think, to have more board members involved, at least a few more involved with the the conversations that we have about the policies um that are coming to the full board for revision or deletion. And so I I had this epiphany and I reached out to Heather and I said, "Hey, what do you think about the idea of consolidating program and policy and facilities and finance for the sake of efficiency? It makes sense. It require it means potentially less meetings. it it it it just you know I'm always looking at ways that we can be more efficient um with time, energy, and effort. And uh Heather said, "Go for it." So I reached out to the um chairs of each one of those four subcommittees and ran the idea by each one of

046them and and and every single one of them said, "Yeah, it seems to make sense. It sounds like a good idea." Um we'd still have a standalone separate negotiation subcommittee that would meet as needed when we are negotiating with any bargaining units. Um uh but you know again I I really feel like this is a more efficient and and um just it just makes sense to do this. Um so that's that's my proposal. Um the there is a policy um policy or board bylaw 9141 that designates that we actually have uh the separate five subcommittees policy facilities finance and um program. Um, so we'd have to make a change to that bylaw, which I could, it really wouldn't be that complicated. I could bring that to the next policy subcommittee meeting, which we'll have in

047a week or so. Um, and and basically just go through the process of updating it. And then, um, you know, basically we would take the the board members, uh, divide them into the u two separate um, subcommittees that we would have. Um, the another recommendation that I made to Heather was the idea of having two subcommittee chairs or co-chairs for each subcommittee. That way, if there was a need for somebody to not be at a meeting, that there'd be somebody else there. Uh, that seemed to make sense as well. I I shared that idea with each of the subcommittee the current subcommittee chairs and they agreed that that that made sense to do it that way. Also, um I can certainly try to take any questions that people might have, but but that's essentially uh

048what what I'm recommending or or encouraging the board to consider in a nutshell. >> Okay. I'm not on either finance or facilities. I understand that's how they always meet together. It makes sense to me that, you know, if they're always meeting together, might as well combine. Um it's less clear to me on the other two, though. There there's not much overlap in what what they do. They could we could have a bigger committee that does more but I I see less reason to combine them and the program is an infrequent thing. Um so >> yeah I mean the reason I think that that it makes sense to combine those two if we're combining facilities and finance to combine the other two is just because of the fact that I think that it is there is

049a benefit to having more I think our policy subcommittee has three members on it. Um, and this would this would really, you know, potentially be um five board members on the on the policy subcommittee, uh, I'm sorry, the policy and program joint subcommittee. Um, I I always think it's good to have more people's voices involved in the conversation when you talk about, you know, making potential changes to policies. >> Yeah. No, I absolutely agree that having a bigger policy committee would make sense. I just don't know about program. You know, we meet twice a year maybe on average, something like that. >> Three, three to four. It depends. >> Three. Three to four. Okay. Um I just I'm I'm not particularly upset by this idea. I I'm just wondering where that goes, what it what

050it's for. Um I'd also suggest if we do this that while we update B by law 9141, we don't we we take out the specific list and say that, you know, this is an annual thing that we we create or by annual, you know, after after the elections. we you know reform our committees as as needed um and and let let the the board decide its committees. >> Yeah, that I think that's a good suggestion. So rather than than lock in stone because we may decide for example that program and policy probably maybe we don't think that should go together since they program doesn't meet that often even though we want more people on policy. If we don't put specifics into, you know, the specific structure into the bylaw, we we have some flexibility. After

051each election, we can say or after each year, we can say these are our committees and be done with it. Uh so you're saying every year we would say we're going to have a finance committee and facilities which is joint and we may not have a program committee. >> I'm see it's up to I if we word the bylaw carefully I think I'm trying to follow you know channel Scott here because I think he makes a good point. If we don't put the specific committees and their structures into the bylaw and just say we the board will have subcommittees that address issues such as finance, facilities, program, policy, we can decide on the structure we want in any given year. And that makes sense to me. I I I would I would encourage I I

052I don't know if that would be wise because then you're going to have different boards from year to year coming in and the idea of having a bylaw it's establishes kind of this is what the board is agreeing to if if there wants so so ju just for context though. So the program subcommittee also it's it's not just there's a couple of things. It's not just program it's program communications technology facilities is also facilities safety transportation. So if there's if there's issues so basically what we'd be doing is saying the two subcommittees would be finance it would be a combination of finance facilities safety and transportation. The other one would be policy program communications and technology. So, so, so those those are the those would be the the two standing ones that meet with a

053degree of regularity and and and again negotiations is you know the the committees put together and meets as necessary when negotiations are taking place. Um I I would again listen it's the board's decision. It's the board's bylaw. I I would be I I I don't know if it would be wise to have just say hey there's going to be committees that cover these topics because then if you We don't want to create inefficiencies. We don't want to have a year where somebody says, "Well, let's create seven subcommittees because then you're then you're going in the different direction." I just if I'd rather stay with what we have than than have that be the possibility. I'm just it just to me it makes sense um just because I I'm in I go to every subcommittee meeting

054um and you know for us to tack on discussing three new class proposals into a you know every three or four policy subcommittee meetings isn't a heavy lift for the policy for the existing pol and and and similarly having the program people be a part of the policy subcommittee you just get additional voices in the conversation and additional perspectives in the conversation when it comes to making changes to board policy. So I I I I do not again respectfully I don't think it would be good to have this nebulous kind of flexible policy language that says you'll figure it out from year to year. Essentially the way it is right now is there's four subcommittees with ne I'm sorry five I apologize with ne with negotiations and essentially it's it's the it's the directive of

055the board chair to identify people to be on those different policies. From my perspective also, you know, once the elections happen, I have to or whoever is going to be the chair um has to assign the board members to committees and kind of the it's an unwritten thing that everyone's supposed to sign up for two, but we don't have that anywhere in our in our um bylaws. and it's not everybody wants to sign up for two and it becomes very hard to even you know get enough people on on some of the committees. So to me I like the idea of consolidating so that we do have more people. Um, you know, it's I just I I think that from a management standpoint of the committees, it's it will be better for us in the

056long run. >> Yeah. I just >> I I just Go ahead. >> Well, I was just going to reiterate that, you know, as as Colin said, he's he spoke to the subcommittee chairs and I completely support this con consolidation. It's just how it's worded in the policy I was trying to follow on you, Scott. So, go ahead, take it. >> Well, no. And and I it's not a hill I ever want to die on. I just I just thought that we don't if we have to do this another time in a couple years and and we decide that, you know, communications, technology, and transportation really should be off together. and the others, you know, that we don't need to go through, you know, a policy committee and a first reading and a second reading of

057this bylaw to change them. Um that that that's just kind of a decision of the board, but I I don't have it's not a major thing to me. I I like the idea. I But honestly, I didn't even know that I'm on the program committee. I think I've made all the meetings since I've been on the board and I didn't realize it was program communication and technology. I've forgotten, I'm sure. But program it was it was about new courses or new course material. That's that's what it's always been as far as I remember. Um and I don't know if facilities, you know, safety and transportation. There was a a point where I'm sure safety stuff was a big deal, but I don't know if it's it is right now. And how about transportation? Do you

058guys do a lot with that? >> No, I mean mo there's there's a there's a very clear policy about transportation. Um, you know, the only real issues that we run into with regards to transportation is is, you know, if there's concerns that parents express about particular bus stops or transportation issues and and there's a there's a whole policy that kind of speaks to um that kind of speaks to how you address those types of issues. Um, I, you know, again, I I think that this this policy was last updated in um quite some time ago. I can't remember when 9141 was updated. Um but I you know there we're going to continue to talk about facilities changes obviously and when we talk about facilities changes we are constantly talking about insure improvements to safety and

059security. So um you know the policy the policy subcommittee I'm sorry the subcommittees they they just kind of have been truncated as how they're identified you know program policy you know finance and and and and whatnot. So, um, but I I I remember a couple of years ago, I think Heather, you I know you were on the board at the time and you were a part of the subcommittee where we had some conversations and meetings and we actually had a specific meeting of the program subcommittee because we wanted to discuss communicating changes or recommendations related to the budget with a larger community. Um, I think that was I think that was two years ago. Um so you know as as those topics come up and need to be discussed at the board level then then

060that's where they're discussed oftentimes initially with um uh with with board members. >> Yeah. The policy was up updated actually last May but before that was 2016. I don't remember what the things was but that's on the policy right now. >> Anybody have any comments on that? No, I think it's a good idea and I think we should do it and I know we we have to get I guess we have to get through policy and all that. So, >> yeah. So, now it will go back to the policy committee, right? >> Okay. All right. Um, speaking of item >> first readings of policies, um, Colin, do you want to take this? It's 10.7 A and B in your attachments. >> Yeah. So, there there's just there's two that we're bringing forward this this month.

061So the first one is credit acrruel in the middle school and the redline version in the um uh that is in your board packet of uh 10.7A just shows that we really just took out and and struck the language that had been in existence and I wanted to provide a context as to as to why we're looking to make this this change. We're certainly not looking to remove the ability for students to acrue high school credit taking middle school classes where the materials and the content and the curriculum matches what is done in the high school. Um so that's certainly something that we want to do, but we felt it was important to um include information in there that says students enrolled in RAM middle school classes. And the reason that we wanted to do

062that is because when I say we, I mean the administrative team and myself. Um, and then of course I brought it to the policy subcommittee is because of the fact that we have students attending Ram High School now that that don't attend RAM middle school and and we did we wanted to be very clear that you know our courses that we teach in the middle school where students do have the ability to receive high school credit um they they we know that they are following that curriculum. They are using the same materials. they are taught at the same level of rigor as high school courses and and we have the ability to ensure that that is happening. Um we don't have the ability to ensure that that's happening with with other with any other school

063where a student comes into us from um from a a different school um you know whether it's Colombia or whether it's a student transferring in from a you know a middle school where that was not RAM. And so we just really wanted to to specifically identify that it's, you know, students are enrolled at RAM middle school classes that use the RAM high school curriculum and who demonstrate mastery and competencies comparable with RAM high school courses shall be awarded those high school credits. Um, so so that's that was really the the crux of it. Um, I I will tell you that I've communicated with the superintendent in Colombia and I've certainly said to them like, "Hey, we we do allow students at Ram Middle School to earn high school credits um for some classes that we

064do offer and if and if they're interested in trying to align their curriculum with ours or utilize the curriculum that we utilize and and you know, we can make sure that um uh you know, again, it's being taught with that same level of rigor, then we're we're open to the idea of of including um and and and allowing those students to earn high school classes if we can get there. Um she appreciated the fact that we were offering that. Um you know, I I have just and that was really the response that I've gotten at this point. Um but that that's really the the crux of this recommended change. >> And I I would like to speak to this. You assume you've seen my comment, Colin, but um I feel like in the um policy

065committee, we we wanted that last bit to somehow be captured in the policy. That that bit about we we need to find a way. We haven't got it yet, but that somehow we need to make sure that the school of choice students are not secondass citizens, that they, you know, if the classes are appropriate, um we should do it. Now, how we get that is not clear and I think um you and curriculum director and department heads or somebody should you know should find a way to do that and so I feel like that should be in the policy in some way though >> to make it clear. >> Yeah, I I I I I agree. I'm not opposed to to including that. I think the first step though is I don't want to get

066the cart ahead of the horse but and what I mean by that is I don't even know if Colombia is interested in trying to articulate their curriculum in the middle school right so you know um basically the response that I got from the superintendent was hey thanks very much I appreciate you you know you letting me know when when I said hey by the way you know if if it's something that you're interested in doing let me know I'm happy to talk to you about it and her response was was non-committal and I don't mean that in a bad way um it just was non-committal um you know if she comes back to me and says Hey, I really want to see if we can make this happen, then then I 100% um then then

067we can certainly uh do that. And if if the will if the board desires us to try to come up with some language to include in there that says you know if we can figure out a way to articulate classes that are offered in uh you know sending schools then again I can certainly sit down with Mary Rose me and we can try to come up with some language to include in this in this policy. >> Yeah, it's it's just something I I'd like to see. I don't know how the rest of the board feels, but I I want to make it clear the whole way and anything we now have students that aren't coming through, you know, from our ascending towns or our regular sending towns and not coming through RAM middle school. Um,

068we want to make sure that they are equal participants in everything we possibly can. I don't know how others feel about this, but >> I'm not sure we need to put in a policy right now. I mean, I think if if if Colombia comes forward and says, "Here's because they have to go through a process that, you know, and they know they can do it. If they come through and they say, "Here's the the steps we'd like to take to make sure the following classes are acceptable, we can certainly revisit the policy." Sure. But but some of the students presumably will be coming in September um and it's now February. Um if we don't have anything in place, so those students could take advantage of it, which seems kind of sad this year. I don't

069think I don't think that'd be possible to for the any kids coming in the fall. It wouldn't work for them regardless because they they haven't been exposed to our curriculum and our the courses that they're in right now have not been articulated in any way, shape or form. So for us to it'd be it wouldn't work for next for students coming in next year. >> Okay. So they they don't have any courses that they think are high school level courses that you know their middle school honors students take or whatever. I >> I I I honestly don't know. What I can tell you though is is the crux of the crux of the ability for middle school students to earn the high school credit is they are using the specific RAM high school course curriculum.

070Okay. exact and whereas I don't know what the curriculum that's being used in in in Colombia. I'm not I'm not saying again not saying that in a disparaging way in any way, shape or form about Colombia um and and the level of rigor that they have or the courses that they offer. I'm just simply saying that um you know basically what Colombia would have to be agreeable to is us either is utilizing our curriculum or us really doing an audit of their curriculum and saying does this meet what we feel is the necessary standards to earn a high school credit. Does that make sense? And and >> you know I understand and that's that's a big job. That's why I would like to say to get it in now so that we can start developing

071what the what the rules are, how we how we're going to do it. Even if they're not going to use it this this fall, maybe, you know, maybe Colombia is going to come back and say, "Well, yeah, we have these three courses that we, you know, we we have, you know, instead of the normal French, you know, middle school stuff, we have an advanced conversational French and or, you know, whatever that that we think is high school rigorous and we'd like you to look at it." Um, I just don't know how we do that. >> I I don't I don't know if it would be them coming to us to present a class that they teach that they feel is rigorous enough. I think it's them saying to us, "We'd like to teach your class

072that you're teaching." I I like because what I don't want to do is I I would I would feel horrible if if Colombia came to us or or if if we continue to develop a partnership with other school districts. I'd feel horrible if they come to us and say, "This is a course that we feel is worthy of a high school credit and we look at it and we say we disagree with you." >> Yeah. >> That like I I just like I don't think that's going to do very much to positively benefit our partnership. >> I I just think that's so it just to me that that's not the approach. But basically what I said to Barbara Wilson, the superintendent there was, hey, listen, we we do teach some high school classes that we

073use our high school curriculum if you're interested in trying to implement some of that stuff at Colombia. and and potentially have your kids earn high school credit, let me know. And she again just, hey, thanks very much. I appreciate it. The other thing though is that >> I don't know if they have this type of an arrangement with Eio Smith or Bolton. And so >> it might be hard for them regardless >> and and so they could be saying, well, right now we're teaching a course that enables our students to teach to to earn a high school credit in Bolton or Eio Smith. and and so you know maybe Bolton or EOS Smith isn't willing to say well yes go ahead and implement the RAM curriculum and utilize the RAM curriculum materials and resources. So

074it's it's like I said I think that it's really them coming to us and saying hey listen remember when you mentioned the idea of doing this let's talk a little bit more about it. Um >> okay >> Jessica I think did did you have something you wanted to say? I I was going to suggest that looking at whether EO and Bolton do have that um because if RAM did set that up that that could really be a huge draw for kids to be able to earn credits they might want to attend. So >> that's that's exactly why we felt it was beneficial to offer it. Jess we because I I agree. I think it's a very again I'm I'm I'm hearing from kids I I've I've said this to you guys before. I'm hearing from

075students that, you know, they're graduating college in three and a half years or or even in some cases three years because they're coming to they're graduating ran with so many high school, I'm sorry, college credits. And part of the reason they're able to do that is because they get some of those uh high school credits out of the way in middle school and it opens up their schedule to take ECE classes and AP classes that they otherwise might not have taken. Um, so I agree with you. It's it's it's a it's a huge benefit to to anybody that's coming into the district to have the ability to do that. >> So now the three elementary districts are going to come calling with their >> Let's bump it down another level. >> All right, Colin, do

076you want to go over the next one? 10 point their policy 3168. >> Yeah. So this is this is a pretty easy one. So, we um last spring we updated our uh a different policy that was budget timelines and procedures. I I I apologize. I don't have the the number in front of me, but when we updated that one, we we modified an existing policy that we had and we aligned it with shipment recommendations and we we just tweaked and adjusted it and it was approved. One of the things though is it actually has information uh there's language in that existing policy that talks about transfer of funds within the budget in that revised um budget timeline and procedures uh policy. So this this language is unnecessary because it exists in another policy and so

077that's why I'm recommending deletion. Okay, >> any other questions about that? All right, that will bring us to the presentation and discussion of recommended reductions in the 2026 2027 region 8 public schools proposed administrative budget. >> All right. So, Eric has a presentation which thank you for pulling it up. So, um, at our last budget workshop, you know, uh, I was basically I presented and I'm sorry, our our curriculum, uh, sorry, our department coordinators and some of our directors presented their budgets and there was some conversation and at the conclusion of the meeting, there was just concern expressed about, you know, where Ram's budget was in comparison where other uh, uh, districts are. And essentially, I was I walked away from that meeting feeling that I was tasked with coming up with recommendations for what

078a 2% decrease would look like, moving us from a 4.77% increase to a 2.77% increase. So, Eric, if you can go to the next slide, it'd be great. So, but I wanted to provide some um context before I make those recommendations. Um, so just again as a reminder, the initially proposed budget was $34,176,011 and as I previously noted, it was a 4.77% increase over the previous year's budget. Uh if you go to the next slide. So if you compare our 4.77% initially proposed budget to some local school districts as well as other DUI C school districts. A 4.77% increase is among the lower of the percentage increases amongst um again local and DUR C districts that I was able to get numbers for. Um, I also think that it's important that um the board remember

079that and the public remember that the initially proposed budget that was a 4.77% increase was inclusive of many reductions that had already been made during the budget development process after having been included in the initial budget requests of different budget owners. Those reductions included the removal of equipment, furniture, and maintenance services up maintenance services and updates. um most of which uh will need to be included in future budgets. Um there were also personnel reductions including the reduction of our summer school credit recovery staff, the reduction of six assignments, and the elimination of four full-time positions. And as you can see on this on this again, it's a high school business teacher and then three paraheducator positions. Um if I had not made those reductions that that uh again that I had made uh the budget

080would have which equate to about $800,000 um the budget that I would have initially proposed to the board would have been a 7.42%. Um and Eric has the next slide for us which is great. So, it's also important to point out, I think that the s significant percentage of our operating budget, um 73% to be exact, is spent on salaries and benefits of our employees. And that over $1.2 million of the proposed uh of our proposed budget was for contractual increases to salaries and benefits. You can go to the next one, Eric. And then the last thing I just wanted to provide information to the board to the board about is that we we do realize or have realized some increases since presenting the proposed budget on January 23rd. Uh they include adjustments due to

081healthcare enrollment changes and some increases to repairs and inspections. Um some quotes came in higher than expected. Those increases uh total out to be about $42,000. um and they would need to be factored into um any recommended reductions that I would make for you tonight in order to get down to the 2.77. The other thing that I'll mention before Eric transitions over is as and Eva alluded to this earlier when when Scott had asked about tra transportation savings is we're still in flux with regards to where our insurance rate is eventually going to fall. Um, so the the budget and and board members know this as we go through, you know, I present in January, but as we go through February and March and before we establish and the board identifies and sets the budget

082in April, there's a lot of moving parts that are playing into it before we land on what our final number is going to be. Um, but if we can go to the next one, uh, Eric, thank you. So, so the first the first set of reductions, and I tried to really kind of clump together the different reductions. Um this this first one is is really just kind of the it just makes it's kind of we it makes sense to do it. So a couple of things very basic and and certainly not very um not very uh uh significant with cost savings but it it it does add up um is employee time tracking. We were actually able to negotiate um a lower um cost for adding on uh to some software that we're already using

083for um our hiring. um and employee um sick leave and absence tracking. It's um it's our absence management system. It's called Red Rover. Um we have not we're currently not utiliz utilizing the the time tracking for hourly employees, but we're going to add that in and uh we negotiated a $6,000 decrease in the cost of doing that. So again, there are some savings there. And then finally, Andover locked in their fuel costs and we're saving $636. So there's uh uh six 6,636 that we're seeing in savings for software and supplies. Go to the next one, Eric. Um so the next group would be reduction. The next group of recommended reductions would be on equipment and services that we can use funds from the current fiscal year to purchase or have done during this fiscal year.

084Um, using funds from the current year's budget to reduce the proposed budget is something that has been done strategically in the past to reduce our budget prior to being adopted uh and going to referendum. And as you could see on this slide, um these recommended reductions total about one uh $158,000. They include a variety of things, equipment, um some materials and supplies for groundscaping uh or groundskeeping, I'm sorry. Um and uh a whole host of things. Um if you can go to the next one, Eric, it'd be great. So So the next one is I I'm obviously clumping them together is is personnel. Um I'll provide details about each one of the recommendations in a greater deal of context. So the first one that I took out was um the instructional technology specialist that I

085had proposed be added to next year's budget. I will tell you I do feel that there is a tremendous need and value in having a dedicated staff member to focus on integration of instructional technology across the district. Um but I am uh you know cognizant of the fact that obviously we're trying to keep staffing reductions to a minimum. So I did remove the recommendation or the uh I removed this position from the budget. Um and I could just say to everybody uh that it'll you'll see it again next year because I do think it's an incredibly valuable position. Um the next one is a 1.0 school counselor. Um and believe it or not, as timing worked out, within a day or two after our budget workshop, I received um a request by initially one school

086counselor and then uh followed up by a second school counselor, both of whom are looking to reduce their FTE by 0.5. Um, and so I'm not always I will say I'm not always able to accommodate requests for um, you know, reducing FTEEs to below a 1.0, but it makes sense to do it in this situation. Um, and that savings by reducing a school counselor by 1.0 would reduce it uh, by about $107,000. As I noted earlier when I did the personnel report, um, we had a resignation of a social studies teacher at the high school. Um again, so we have a resignation or a position uh uh that is vacant through attrition. Um and we have looked at our student enrollment in class size and we feel that we can meet the student needs without

087filling that vacancy. And the next one is a high school science teaching position. Um we have been very fortunate that we've been able to reduce many positions over the past four years that I've been here through attrition in a number of content areas. Uh there has not been any retirements or resignations in this particular content area. Um but we feel again the administrative team and myself feel that we can continue to meet student needs and not negatively impact course offerings. Um since this position reduction is not through attrition, it does affect a an individual current staff member, but we are fortunate that um we do have a vacancy in another content area and this teacher is qualified to fill that position and they would be transferred into that position for the start of the 2627

088school year. Um and then finally, there were a couple of uh additional six assignments that we did review and look at and um feel that we can uh remove them from next year's budget. And so in total, the personnel reductions or recommended reductions would be $468,000. Um and then the last one, Eric, if you go to that, thank you. Is it's a group that uh include items that would be put into future budgets, things such as furniture and equipment. um are the primary things. So we have a few classrooms of science equipment that we were looking to replace their furniture. Um one of the things that was proposed in the initial budget was the equipment for uh the elements for leadership class and the training that would go along with it. That's about $22,000 for

089those things. We would remove that and include that in a future budget. And then just some uh small small ticket items of rooftop guard rails um and then just minor uh tuition reimbursement that um the is contractually obligated but has not been used for for several years. So um those things equal out to be about $59,000. So if you take those things and go down one more, Eric, thank you. So, in total, if you add up those different recommended reductions, it comes out to um $652,000. Um, and actually, Eric, go to the next one. And, uh, as as as it actually works out perfectly because that brings us down to a 2.77%. So, our budget uh, in total would be $33,525,183. Again, a 2.77. And you can see it's a combination of a net operating

090budget of 33 million and 20 uh $25,000 and then keeping the capital budget at uh $500,000. And then Eric, if you just go down one more um and you know, if the board were to approve or or to take these recommended reductions into account and have us uh put them into the budget, um you could see obviously where we would change uh our status on that chart. um we'd be not only amongst the lowest um proposed budgets um you know again comparatively speaking to local school districts and in our uh in our DUR, but I can tell you that I've looked anecdotally at numbers that are publicly available um and I can say that we'd be one of the lowest budget increases in the state of Connecticut. Uh I can certainly do my best to

091take any questions if board members have any for me. First thing is thanks for the hard work. This I know how hard that is. I don't know. I I can only guess, but um >> it's pretty much all we've done for the past two weeks. >> I would love to do this except to keep the technology specialist. That that I think that is is important. I would love to see that back in. That would probably put us back somewhere around 3% I imagine. um still right there among the lowest. I I haven't done the numbers, but I would guess somewhere around there. >> I would agree with that. >> I'm in agreement with Scott as well. >> I have a question about the science teacher reassignment. Is is the reassignment within the science department? >>

092No, I So I I said it was a different content area, Drew. >> Okay. So, are we sure that that instructor would be willing to do that? >> I I have had number of conversations with the individual that's been impacted. >> So, it would work is what you're saying though. >> Correct. >> Okay. >> So, Drew, when we sign our contracts with the district, we we actually can be put anywhere we're certified to be. >> Yeah. But that doesn't mean they want to. I mean I they could have been, you know, they could just resign and then we'd be in a different position entirely. >> Sure. >> Right. So that's why >> Yeah. I mean what what I could what I could I'm sorry. I'm sorry. What I could say to you is that you

093know um I think you know people who are teaching a certain content area and have been teaching a certain content area for for you know the brunt of their career. Um, I I I will say generally speaking, they're usually not particularly too excited about about unanticipated changes. Um, I don't want to speak out of turn and and misrepresent any conversation that I had with this employee. Um, but what I could tell you is that I value this employee and I'm excited that this is an avenue that um enables this person to stay in district and I'm happy for us because it's a benefit to to the district and to the students um because it's a and I and I I will tell you that I I believe that this is an individual who really desires

094very strongly to stay at RAM. And so it's a win it's a win-win for for everybody. Okay, that's great. >> And as child of school teachers, um my mother got bumped around and moved and then got to choose where she moved back when an opening came. And if you know if a science opening comes up, my guess is would be willing to put this person back assuming that was what she or he wanted. I have uh I have conveyed that to this individual that any opportunity that presents themselves for this person to move back into a teaching position. I mean really anytime a position is posted, anybody can apply for it. And if I have an internal person that's interested in a position and they're qualified and they're certified to do it, then I always

095try to um you know, well, I should say this. I can tell you the administrative team always tries to accommodate such requests. We want to keep people happy and if they're happy doing a different content area then then great. We're not always able to accommodate those requests but there's a you know a variety of circumstances but I've assured this individual that if an opportunity presents itself um to move back into the science realm that that I'm not opposed to doing that. So, I am also interested in um the was about $56,000 reduction. The roof guard rails was in there in that slide. Can we just go back to that slide for a second, Eric? >> That one. Yeah. Um 59,000. So, I guess my first reaction is if we need to fix guard rails, we

096should probably be fixing them because god forbid if anything happened. >> Well, what I can I can tell you about that one is we can throw I don't want to be blas about it, but if we're looking at bonding and doing an extensive roof replacement in the next couple of years, we can include it into that project. Um the other my other reaction to this is um we're coming in as the lowest budget increase out of the three surrounding towns and it's our obligation to um put forth what we think is a good budget for Ram and the students in the RAM community. And I, you know, I mean, some reason I thought I heard that Hein actually went up in their budget when they finally voted on it. I mean, I do sort of

097feel as if we're the only ones who are trying to figure out how to to come in a little bit lower, but at the same time, I want to be able to advocate for some of the things that the teachers asked us for in their presentations um that we think are going to add value to the program at at the school. And I mean your position, Colin, that you were interested in having and then some of the things on there that um in the in the slide that we were just on. I'd like to kind of see if we put those back, where would we fall in the percentage at that point? >> So, so one of the things that I would say is um I I think I said this earlier. This is a

098moving number from the time I initially present in January until the time we finalize it and it goes to the board votes on it in the beginning of April. Um, we already know that the budget we we're not going to set it today because like it as Eva alluded to earlier and you know again Scott asked the question about incorporating any savings with regards to transportation changes for special education is you know we don't know where we're going to land yet. As Eva said like in our last insurance consortium meeting there was conversation that we should potentially look at bumping up to a 16.5% increase for pre for premiums. That's close to $50,000 into itself, right? Then we have potentially some savings to factor in for special ed transportation. There could be things that evolve

099and change, you know, in between now and and our March meeting. Um and and we could certainly um you know, consider you know, keeping you know, certainly adding the instructional technology specialist position is to me that's you know, we could do that and we could see where we would be. at the in our March meeting, you know, once the insurance has been set, once we have a better understanding of how any savings through special ed transportation might impact us and we can say, hey, factoring in those things and then maybe keeping the instructional tech position in as well as some of those things on that last slide, you know, again, the elements of leadership, that kind of stuff, where would we end up being? I mean, you know, and we might even kind of cherrypick

100some of those things like, you know, could we live another year without those science tables and science? Yes, we could. Right. And that was the Eric, could you go back to that slide for me, please? Um, that that's the that's the brunt of that. So, you know, could maybe it's not $59,000 that we put back in, but maybe it's the element for leadership equipment. So, so one of the things that I did is I I prioritized um you like with the exception of the um tuition reimbursement because it's just kind of a insignificant number to be honest with you, but like you know the first of this group the first thing I'd recommend is the this the science furniture equipment. We could live without it for a year. So if we maybe it's putting in

101the instruct in instructional technology position and putting in everything, you know, taking out tuition reimbursement, taking out the guardrails, but then just putting back in the elements for leadership equipment and the training. So that's okay. Right? >> So we could play with it and I can present, you know, the board like here's where we'd be if we did this. Here's where we'd be if we did this. Um and and as I said, there could be other changes along the way as well. I, as I said, when I did the budget workshop with you guys two weeks ago, um I I had no idea that two days later I was going to get a school counselor, two school counselors coming to me and saying, "Hey, I'd like to go from a a a full-time position to

102a part-time position." I mean, that just worked out. I could end up getting a resignation, you know, or a retirement um or any number of things that could happen in between now and March that that continues to change the dynamic of things and and makes us reook at how how we might be able to come in at a reasonable number that we think will, you know, be re, you know, accepted and um voted yes upon by by members of our our community. >> Yeah, I think that's good. I just I want us to kind of remember that, you know, we're charged with bringing forward the best budget that we can for RAM and, you know, we can't fix the issues that that the towns are having in their town budgets on the backs of the

103RAM budget. >> Yeah. And I think that I think that's a good point, Heather, but I also look at our history. So for the past 10 increases, we've been below 3%. So we've been able to deliver a budget that's less than a 3% increase for the past 10 budgets. And the the 2015 2016 budget was a 3.43% if I remember correctly. So it seems like we ought to be able to still continue to do that in this really difficult time. and and that's where I I kind of there must be a way to sort of keep up our our commitment to our students and and sort of maintain the trajectory we've had for the past 10 budgets. >> I I can tell you though that's sometimes not the case. I can tell you what's going

104on in Andover right now is that they have had a total increase in the last 10 years of 5% total, less than half a percent a year for 10 years. This year they're looking at 11%. They need new teachers. They need things. It just it because the budgets have been low for so long, you you hit that point where you it's very very hard for them to cut anything from the proposed budget right now. They're looking at it, but I don't think they're going to be able to cut much. And I don't know what's going to happen referendum uh to >> have we been have we been have we been, you know, extra frugal for 10 the past 10 budgets? I mean, and and now we're paying a piper to go to, you know, nearly

1055%. Or or are we have we been doing a a good job all along with the increases we've had? I mean, that's what I haven't heard. I mean, it seems to me we have a I'm pretty proud of our school system. So, and and its facilities and the options for its students and so forth. So, I'm not sure why this year we needed to, you know, when the towns are struggling and when Andover and He need to do something that we need to also be, you know, trying to get more. >> Can I um say something? I don't know if you guys can hear me. >> Yep, we can hear you. Go ahead. I I I I actually really um appreciate what both Drew and Scott are saying um because um you know Marorrow had

106gone through years of we had negative budgets um for a time being which I don't actually know how you do um and Scott you're right when you're so when you come in so low for so long you know eventually you have to you know there there's you have to um give the schools things that they need. But Drew, I also agree with you. Um, we've done a really nice job over the years u maintaining a reasonable budget and an excellent school system. Right. All you know, my son will be graduating. My third son will be graduating in in June and it's an excellent school. Um and now is a little bit of a difficult um time for the other towns and I think it is part of our responsibility as a regional school district to

107you know to to recognize that. What I like about Collins budget um from what I see is um and and I know you know just from uh Marorrow in general and um you know what you try to do always is keep it as far away from the classroom as possible, right? you know, what doesn't, you know, what is not going to impact students directly. And I think Collins done a really nice job of of doing that. Um, you know, some things fell into place which were really nice. Some things we say, okay, we can't do that this year. We know it would have to be next year or the following. So, I think that's just, you know, um I think Scott and Drew both make excellent points. um unfortunately, you know, we do have to

108uh respect what's happening, you know, in the surrounding towns right now. And um you know, and I'm fine with adding that that position back in also. And I I think like I said, Collins did a nice job with keeping it um away from this, you know, the students and and and their um education. Anybody have any other comments on it? >> I just want to say thank you Colin and Eva for all of your hard work. Um I think keeping the current staffing is so important for morale and morale makes a really big difference for students. So thank you for all your work. >> And just for the record, I don't have an opposition to maintaining the tech position of that one one adjustment. If we could wait a year, that would be okay with

109me. But if people feel strongly about making it go from 2.77 to, I don't know, 3.05, I don't know what it would be. But anyway, that small amount to get that tech position in. That wouldn't bother me either. It's just >> Can you tell us what that increase would be? >> Yeah, I I can't I can't give it to you right now. Um but I could I could certainly provide that information to you uh you know, tomorrow or the next day. Not a problem. Yeah, I' I'd like to know what that is. Like I I I feel the same as Drew if if everyone feels strongly about that. Um I would be okay with it. I would just like to see what that number is. >> And I want just want to also follow up

110on what we've been saying is this is here in front of us because last meeting we were all worried about passing a budget at the nearly 5% um in our towns. We all knew that our towns were going to have problems. um at getting it getting budgets passed no matter what. So the better we could do the better we it it could be overall. No guarantees about anything but that's the reason it is because we as a board did ask for this um even if it's not it's not a final thing and we can still play with things and we've got March um to to work it out before I don't remember second week of April. I can't remember or April regular meeting >> f first week of April I think >> first week of

111April. So, so just uh so I can make sure that I get some some clear guidance and make sure I understand things. So, sounds like there's a desire to to reinstate that instructional tech position. Would you also like me to include the uh the funding for the elements for leadership equipment and training, which again equals out to about $22,000. Um and then and then see where that number is. And then and then again final knowing that it's not a final number but putting those things back into the budget having that be our kind of number. I can share it with the board tomorrow. Um the only reason I ask that is because I am actually doing a presentation to the Marboro Board of Finance and Board of Selectman on Wednesday evening and I'd like to

112go in there with not a well I'm not quite sure where we are number. I'd like to go in there with um really a firm number to to say this is where we are at this point based off of feedback that you all can give me right now hopefully. >> Well, I I I think that's a great idea. Those those two things, the >> um the elements thing and the instructional position, keep the other cuts you've got here for now until until we hear everything else. You know, we hear where the insurance comes in. um is Colombia. >> So Scott, you were you you beat me to it. I was going to say we just found out late last week. Um we budgeted for 10 and we found out that we got 10 students that

113identified Ram as the high school of choice for next year. So we we're we don't have that that's not going to have an impact on our budget for to the good and or or to the bad, which again I'm I'm you know happy that it's not impacting us to the bad. I'm happy we didn't overestimate the number of students, but uh we we'll hopefully keep getting more as time goes on. And there could still be students um that change their mind even before the start of the school year and and ultimately choose RAM. So >> So how many total is that, Colin? >> Uh for next year it'll be 20. We currently have 10. It'll be 10 more. >> Okay. All right. Um, so if there's no other comments, we can move on to the

114financials. >> I am happy to turn it back over to Eva. >> All right. So in your packets in closure 10.9A is the expenditure and revenue report as of January 31st, 2026. There's an anticipated net favorable position of $467,026. Um at the end of February, we should get the first portion of our excess cost payment. Um the capital improvement fund is currently there are no active projects. The reserve for my apologies when I first created this account we called it reserve for educational expenditures. So that stays in my memo. But um since the board's policy has been put into place, it's called the reserve for general education. So don't want to confuse people. It is the same fund just two totally different names. Um so I will correct that moving forward in in the reports.

115Um so in the general reserve for general education fund as well all the projects are closed out for this fiscal year. The pupil services department is closely monitoring their expenditures as well. Um and so there is nothing new to report in that arena as well. I will be happy to answer any questions that the board may have at this time. >> Anything you're worried about in here? >> Anything that I'm worried about? So, I am keeping watchful um eyes on on a couple of moving targets. Um but so far, knock on wood. I have lots of wood around me. Um we seem to be in a steady um path. Um, what worries me the most currently is the snow. It's been ages since anyone's had to have snow removal off of their roofs. I don't

116even want to engage or entertain how much that might cost us. So, um, that is something that I'm keeping an eye on as well. >> Thank you. >> Any other questions? >> Okay. Still hearing none. Um 10.9b is the food service monthly expenditure report for January 2026. Um, we currently are at a total uh net loss of $86,466 for the month or for the year and at the month end was 5,485 which is a little bit higher than December's was but excuse me we did have some testing days in there and um unfortunately um lunch lunch saw a reduction in in that regard because our seniors or our seniors our high schoolers as soon as testing was over were able to leave. So, you know, it wasn't as many bodies to feed during those few

117days. So, are there any questions that the board may have in that regard? >> Yeah, me again. Sorry. Um I you know, I've been on the board a couple years now and we've always seem to have you know these negatives here. Is this normal or is is it current? >> When I when I first got here before CO, let's put it to you that way. So before CO, we actually had a few uh years, maybe it was a couple years that we had to take from the operating budget to um put into the uh fund balance to shore up the food service account. Um are we heading in that direction? Again, it seems to be that way. I'm doing everything in my power to try to save that off as much as possible. Um, so

118we're trying to get more creative with in the realms of what and how we can feed the children, getting them excited about what to eat and or trying to um feed staff members as well and getting them excited to eat in the cafeteria as well. >> Any additional questions? Okay. So, hearing none. 10.9 C is the student activity report. Um, the accounts are in balance with what is noted at what our bank. Um, so are there any questions that the board may have in that regard? >> It's always fun to see. I love looking through this this report. The favorite one favorite one this time was 0680 Day of Peace. No idea what they did, but I'm glad to hear about it. >> We like day of peace. Um, so if there are no additional

119questions, um, 10.9D is the short-term investment fund for the month of January. We reinvested dividends in the amount of $61630. Are there any questions that the board may have in that one? Okay, hearing none. I appreciate your attendance and thank you for listening. >> Okay, that brings us to um ourformational items, Colin. Calendar of events and student discipline. >> All right, so for calendar events, we um uh we've got a few things coming up. We have parent teacher conferences taking place at both the middle school and the high school, I believe, in the beginning of March. Um, we have our drama production, which I'm excited about. The Adams Family is being performed by our middle school and high school drama students, which is going to be great. That is happening um March 7th, I think,

120is when it starts. So, it's the I'm sorry, the 5th through the 7th. So, it's uh being done over a few different days. I can make sure I send reminders to the board and uh attend that if it works out for your schedule. as I noted earlier that we've got some uh unified games coming up. Um we have a couple of uh of our sports teams that have made it into state play. So that's exciting. Uh moving on to discipline. Um the information is in your packet as far as um you know disciplinary issues that have taken place at the middle school and the high school in the past uh month. So I can certainly answer any questions that people might have. That that's it. the testing the NWEA sixth grade math science or math

121and read reading testing. What is that? Why is it on our calendar? What? >> It's I think they just pull it from events. It's It's just middle school just pulls their stuff. They They have a lot more obviously on there. So, they just kind of pull all the upcoming events that they have. >> It's just weird because it's, you know, it's not our middle school students. It's the sixth grade students. So, >> yeah. Well, but they they do the testing for us specifically. Um >> Oh, okay. >> So, so because what the NWA assessment is utilized, it's a it's an assessment um that has a degree of predictive value to it. It helps us get a better understanding of where students are in the different content areas. And so by h and for math, it

122helps with placement in the different math levels that students are placed at as seventh graders. So, um, they're they're they're really giving the assessment for our benefit in middle school. >> All right, that that makes sense. That just that wasn't clear to me, but I also wanted to point out on the high school calendar that the play I assume runs f Thursday, Friday, Saturday nights and not twice on Saturday. >> Um, I'd have to check, but I can uh I can certainly clarify that and uh and >> you know, is there a matt Thursday performance and then a Saturday matinea, a Saturday evening? That seems strange, but >> yeah, again, I'm not quite sure. I can certainly uh >> Okay, >> let you all >> I'd like to get to that, but I I'll make

123it to one of them. >> Yeah, I'll get the schedule to you guys. >> All right. Anybody else have any comments? Do we have a motion to adjurnn? >> So, move. >> Who's that? Rudy or um >> Rudy. >> Do we have a second? >> I'll second. Scott. Scott. >> All in favor? I >> Anyone opposed?