001public schools and public budget Q&A on Monday, March 16th at 5:30 p.m. Roll call. We've got the entire budget committee plus some additional board members healthier. Miss Mercy, you can grab them, please. Public participation. I will read this just in the events to speak. Public participation and members of the public and staff may bring to the committee's attention information, ideas or matters of concern related to all the duties and responsibilities of this committee. This committee will not allow comments regarding specific uh staff members or personal grievances. The time for individual remarks will be appointed according to the number of speakers and will be limited to five minutes per speaker under extent allowed by the chair. wants extended by chair. We've got uh Oh, Google here. Maggie McGilly. >> You got it. >> Come on down.
002>> I'm bringing a friend, too. >> The next one is me, too. So, great. More than we're together. >> Yeah. [snorts] >> And this will be a Q&A. The board will allow the board to respond to questions, concerns. >> All right. Good evening. My name is Maggie McGilly. I live at 675 Heron Drive here in Torington. I'm a ths parent and an uh teacher at Torington High School. >> Matt Runfeld. I'm a teacher here at Torington New School. >> So um in regard to a letter that was sent to the board dated February 25th, 2026 from several teachers. We um after some consideration, some discussion, we would like to maintain the position that we believe Torington High School would be best served by three assistant principles. Thank you for your time. Sir, >> thank you
003very much. >> Thank you guys. >> Appreciate it. >> And Sarah Hannah. >> Oh, sure. >> Well, you know, we'll we will start when she comes in. We'll just stop the meeting later, make the public comment. It's an open environment tonight. Trying to let everybody speak. All right. Next up, we have 2026 2027 budget discussion. If we could um can we just kind of roll through the level one to level two changes through the document that you sent out? >> Sure. Happy to do so. Everybody received the level two budget and um we went through it and took out some items that were suggested. So you will see in the far right column the difference of level one and level two. I don't know if you want to go through each specific. >> We could
004just hit the maybe the teachers one. Some of them don't the teachers one. I'm not sure who was in the teachers the teachers reduction level one to level two. We had I couldn't wrap it out to our original sheet. >> Sure. Sure. So, we we did have a a special ed uh position that was able to be funded through a grant. Um we had some coaches that we kept in uh a [clears throat] coach and some interventions that we did decide to keep in. Um, we also had, if you would have a non-certified cafeteria uh person that was budgeted fully out of GB, but needed to be partially funded out of the cafeteria budget. If you go to page two, we're um there were some special ed cuts that uh tallied up to 270 plus.
005So um some of these items that you see going down page two were within the special ed budget. Uh one of the other items on page two was the benefits. Um those are the employee contributions just regarding uh the fact that the premium is going to go up so so will the um employee contributions. So there was a addition there of 510,000. And then as you go on throughout the pages um you also have uh the snow plowing contract on page three. We did decide to add some funding there because we know that it was funded um previously lower than probably should have been for the past couple years. Um so we wanted to add some money there. So that was actually an ad that happened. And then on page four you will see um
006a very simple trans um transaction happened with the licenses. So some licenses that were being funded in um office of teaching and learning that needed to be actually coded towards technical services it so that was a wash. Um that's where you're seeing that 74k come and go in that right hand column. And then again if you go down you'll see tuition. Tuition also had some areas um that we were able to have uh savings uh and reductions. So we were able to do that with the special ed budget. And then um a very small amount, $500 in the non-instructional supply. Again, I think that was from special ed. Last page. Um if you're looking at the technology supplies, we did remove the computers from the operations budget and we are putting that into our capital
007request to the city. And I believe there was just uh one other item um for property. It was uh 46,000 and some change. And again, that was for a scoreboard and some bleachers that we originally had in the operations budget, but we're going to propose to the city um to put that into the capital request. >> Great. I appreciate it very much. Does anybody have any questions on the the change to level one to level two before we head back to the public? I think Sarah's probably one. Sure. >> Dean with the high school now additional pavement sidewalks you comfortable with. >> Can you speak up there? >> I'm sorry. With all the additional [clears throat] pave concrete that go on the curbs and islands. >> Yep. >> Is that enough to >> $1,000? >>
008I mean you can you put the number together. Yeah. You think that's interesting? >> I do I do believe it's I do believe it's not. Just a lot of work. Yes. >> Yeah. >> I'm sorry. >> We can probably add to that too, Mr. Ugly. I believe I had asked get back to you with the dollar amount spent so far that Amy can do with it this morning. The total dollar amount we're at like what 285 I think overall on the snow plowing so far this year. >> Um >> Thereabouts. I would say somewhere in that. Yeah. >> To give you an idea. Y >> and I think we we moved the budget to 390 or so. >> Yeah, that's what I was going to look at. >> I think it's about 395. >> So
009I think we should be >> 37 372 36 >> 372. >> Okay. So barring a bunch of bl li blizzards that number would be hopefully in the realm of accuracy. Any other questions on level one, level two from anybody here? >> I just have one. The VOAG sped went up 170. Was that because of the tuition increase or was that because of additional enrollments, do you think? >> I'm going to defer to Dr. Baker on my question, but I believe it is the latter. >> It is. And and that's where the related services come with the related services cost >> and they cover that line item. Yes. Okay, great. Thank you. Now, do we have Has Sarah arrived? >> Sarah, why don't you >> I'm Sarah Hannah. I'm one of the interventionists um at Touringford
010School and um the intervention team at Toringford School. Just wanted to talk a little bit about what we do and why we think the intervention um positions are important, are effective, are working um and what they can do. also to um save us money fiscally, how they're also fiscally responsible. So, I'm going to talk a little bit about that. Um [clears throat] first of all, I'm going to talk primarily about our elementary years just because that's my area of expertise, but that does not mean that our math interventionists, our later interventionists are not also very important. But um the strong early literacy in the elementary years we find is highly correlated with later school achievement, graduation rates and also um adult productivity and adult e economic capacity. Grade three in our world is kind of
011the time when learning flips from learning when we're learning to read to when we're reading to learn. So that marks a really important time for us. Um and children who at that point are below the benchmark literacy skills. Um it affects their ability to perform across all those disciplines because at that point they're reading for social studies, they're reading for science, they need to read in order to do math. So we really um focus on that early literacy uh where we are at Toringford. Um and also children who are behind at that point at the end of third grade are four to six times more likely to drop out of school. So that's a big number. Um earlier literacy skills are linked to reduced grade retention and summer and reduced need for summer school attendance
012as well. So um there's decades of research about this in our field but a recent synthesis of just 12 of those studies um made found that significant lasting gains in reading skills are correlated with that later school achievement. Um, of course that literacy intervention has to be effective and here at Toringford we feel like and and at all the across our Torington schools we feel like we have created a really highly effective highquality intervention program. Um, we our program is very structured. It focuses on the areas of reading that are most likely to support increased future reading success which are funological processing and decoding. It includes continuous monitoring of progress and a structured series of check-in meetings to make sure that we are on the same page as the teachers to maximize the student success.
013Um, all of these are the consistent markers in literature as high quality intervention. Our team is very aware of this research. We've had book groups um on books about this research. Um, and we're consistently evaluating, revising our program to make sure that it's consistent with that research. Um, I think you'll probably see a lot of data points that support that our program has been successful. So, in I'm going to give you all this, but I will uh in the interest of time, I will uh skip over that. Um, what I'm going to say is that uh the good news is that supporting these highquality literacy intervention programs has been proven time and time again to be cost-effective as well. Early literacy interventions reduce the need for special ed referrals. They reduce the need for grade
014retentions. They reduce the need for summer school attendance and for long-term intensive remedial services which are much more costly. Um in our district, the upper grades have moved to a system, I believe, where if a student fails a class, they must attend a summer school or repeat. Um and I feel like this has been very important to us to hold um true to, but it's also very costly. So in that realm, we just wanted to put across that it's a very um academically sound of course and the right thing to do for our students, but it's also fiscally responsible to continue supporting those positions um in intervention. Um so in closing, early literacy intervention is one of the highest impact, most cost-effective investments a school can make to support academic achievement throughout the grades. It
015reduces those special educ education referrals. It reduces retention needs and summer school attendance needs. It strengthens academic outcomes across all subject areas and closes achievement gaps, especially for struggling readers and English learners. All of this, the benefits for [clears throat] our children and the cost benefit has been extensively researched. Um, and I just want to thank you all for being on the board. I know it's a volunteer position and that you do it because of your dedication to the touring for students and also your responsibility for the um Torington taxpayers. So I know you have a hard job to balance the needs of the children with the fiscal responsibility, but I feel like in this case those two come together very nicely because um this is good for our children and it is also a
016fiscally responsible decision that saves the district money over the long term. >> Great. Thank you very much. >> Thank you. >> I would say I don't believe we actually we didn't we didn't remove those positions in this level too. Correct. >> Correct. They they remained >> they remained. So the purpose of [laughter] this >> well now we know a lot of literacy interventions. Thank you all for listening. [laughter] More lots of >> we all support that initiative but the board learned like a decade ago. I think most report was around that point when we had to make some horrible cuts and we saw what that what that impact that had on the students, the staff and the families and it was we saw what happened to the prevalency rate and a bunch of other things.
017So we certainly agree and at this point we're looking to submit the budget to the city that is what we need to run the district. So, we had asked for some, you know, cuts that could be made that things weren't being used or things we'd change directions on. And then the central office also said, "Hey, here are some additional things that if we really have to go to, we would have to go to, but that was that's not what we're actually doing at the moment. We appreciated all the suggestions to look at them all and hopefully we never have to turn that page, right? That's the that's the idea. Hopefully, the city or ECS funding comes through and we don't have to worry about this." A lot of great ways to get out of this.
018Um but for now those positions are not being removed from the budget and if we have to cross that bridge at some point obviously the discussion would continue but we really appreciate you guys coming out to talk about it. >> Thank you. >> Is there anybody else who has a question or they want to you know ask a question on the board? Feel free to raise your hand even if you're not on the list even as the night goes on. I may not see you immediately but the idea of this Q&A is to allow the public >> Sure. >> I'm Kaylee Blakesley. I'm a mom of two students at Vorington public schools, one at Torington Intermediate School and one at Southwest School. I have a couple of questions if you'll indulge me. Um my first
019question is how much money from the property equipment allocation $88,722? How much of that is earmarked for Torington Intermediate School outdoor space? >> That might have to defer to we can get it for you. >> We could we could get back. Can you just tell me exactly which line item? >> Sure. It's line items 5743 and 5744. It's for uh property and equipment not instructional. >> Okay. So, you're talking about >> unless it's somewhere else that I didn't see. >> So, I'm looking at uh 5743. You said >> uh 5743 and 5744 total to 88,722. >> I understand. >> And you're asking about the use of it towards what? >> Torington intermediate school playground or playscape equipment. >> So that would be a capital expense if I'm not mistaken. Right. That would be found. >>
020Has that been released yet? >> The capital budget has been released. I believe it's on the board's agenda for this Wednesday. >> Okay. And so can you tell me where that money will be spent or like generally speaking since it's not itemized? >> The capital is actually is itemized. >> Oh, and I mean just the equipment and the property >> because it doesn't seem like it's landscape and it doesn't seem like it's >> not instructional supply would be anything to do with the computer stuff. >> Okay. And then um the budget doesn't include the 268,000 drip grip grant that you'll be receiving. Can you tell me has that been allocated or is there money for a torrent intermediate school with that money? >> Uh I believe that they're going to be using that for the
021chiller at for touring for so that is the chiller. Yeah, the chiller touring for system. Okay. All of it? >> Yes. Because the chiller, unfortunately, is more than that is allocated. >> Okay. Um and lastly, uh well, I have a couple more. Hopefully, you'll have time for me. Um there's an 85% increase for administrative travel. Is there a big trip planned? Because that seems like a lot of money, $74,000 for administrative travel. That uh line item is actually for uh contractual stipens that administrators get in their contract to >> stipens to travel, >> stipens for travel with their own personal vehicles. So that's it was not it was not properly budgeted previously and so now it's properly budgeted. >> Okay. Um $17,500 for clothing. Is that for teachers to dress more professionally? >> That is
022custodians have an allowance in their contract to read. Okie dokie. Um, and where will which school will see the social worker cut? There's 130,000 cut for >> There was not a cut of a social worker. It's just salaries based on vacancies that we had the previous year that that we rehired somebody at a lower salary the following year. >> Media specialist. No cuts. >> Same thing. >> No cuts for speech pathology. >> Yes. >> No cuts for arts, drama, music. No, >> there's [clears throat] actually an additional >> because those are all in like they're in the bracket negative. So that's just >> but there was an addition in another stipen category. We we actually covered but there was an addition in another stipen category that covered all of that. So there's a a wash
023between the two stipen cities. >> Okay. And the 5.45% increase in administrative salaries is that to add a new administrator? Uh most of the salary increases are due to contractual obligations, >> but there is a proposal in the budget to add an additional administrative position. >> Where can you see a more itemized budget? Cuz I couldn't find it. >> The proposal has the school by school. What proposal? >> So the the initial proposal presented by the superintendent. It is on the district's website. Um that has a school by school view of positions, line items, etc. >> Most recent copy will be available on the March 11th budget meeting. the >> I missed a few meetings, but sorry guys, I'm back. >> You can find the board's emails online, so if you want to write to
024Jeff and I if you can't find us, we can find it for you. >> Thank you. >> And again, I just want to say I'm not giving up on TAS Playground Playscape. You want to talk about bang for your buck, talk [clears throat] about letting the kids go outside every day to get some fresh air. Less absences, higher achievement. This was a transition year. It's almost over. Kids going outside for recess once a month is not what we should be doing. >> So, thank you. >> Thank you very much. >> Jason Lareer living in Grand Connecticut by Byron Drive. Torington Middle School teacher, former TA representative to the budget committee. So, um I appreciate what you're all going through. Um, this comment is more directed to um, people out there and behind me. Um, the
025board of ed does not disagree with the funding that we need. These conversations need to happen at the board of finance meeting. we need to show up in front of the city when they're making the decision because you have clearly stated that you do not want to make these cuts that this is not where these cuts should be made and you're being forced to make them because of what the city of Torington is not giving us. And so, um, I strongly encourage my colleagues and the taxpaying citizens of Torington that if education is what you feel is important in this city that they need to make sure that the board of finance and the town council is aware of um what it is that you're you're you're wanting. Um, my question is is how much
026of this budget is due to what we haven't gotten in the past? Um, and I think that that would be a very eyeopening number to present to the public and to the board of finance is how much are we having to um supplement because we haven't gotten it in the past. Um, and I had another question. It's escaped my mind, so I'll come back if I need to. >> Thank you very much. To answer to partially answer that question, funding from the city over the last four years, I believe, Mr. It's less than a million dollars of increases uh in the last four years. >> Yeah. I mean in the last this is my ninth year and as I recall when I started on the board the budget was about 76 million and change. So
027over the last uh almost decade we've gone up just under 2 million in appropriation from the city. >> Well is that the city funding or is that the state funding? >> That's the city specific under. We were 76 and change when I started nine years ago. But the city doesn't fund the 76 is it? That's what this >> the city funds the 76 minus the frozen ECS dollars I think was about 28 million. So the city funds some the local tax pays less receives revenue in ECS ostensively to support education. Uh but they're not actually obligated to it just offsets their cost of education. So the local taxpayer pays oh 50 million or so um the city of Torington pays 76 inclusive of that 50 or paid at the time. Now they pay 78. Um
028so we've received just under $2 million in appropriated increases from the city in the last nine years. And while we have received some funding obviously through our alliance grants and some other grants, it is way below the inflation just of the salary increases alone. And every year this budget runs when you go year to year at a deficit just from contractual obligations. So that's at the very least you hope the city is able to provide you with the things you have to pay for and the contracts they've approved. uh we take contracts, teacher contracts, all of these contracts go to the city and the last time we did it, they approved those contracts. It's a difficult situation for everybody, but we all have to get the city has to get together with us and continue
029to make this work moving forward for the betterment of all the children and families in this city. So, thank you for the comment. Anybody else? >> Yeah, go ahead. No, go ahead. Jeeoff, I know that um you stated that at this time the interventions and the coach have not been removed from the budget. Um but I think it's important for the individuals who are listening to understand um if we eventually get to that point the importance of those individuals and the impact um that they have on the students and not only the students but the staff in our buildings. Um, so you have a packet of information. I'm not going to obviously read all of that information, but I think it's really important um to think about some of the work that's being done and
030the impact that's had on students and not just the academic data, but um as I stated at our last meeting, you know, building confidence, building CN um actually building that um joy of reading um because they now have the skills to navigate text with greater independence and tolerance um and most importantly that they are starting to believe in their own ability to see. um you know looking at the just in data from my students that I worked with in the first two cycles um when you look at the dips from fall to winter um 25% of those students did well above average 38% above average 25% average and 12% below average um and um the media school Mr. Klein and um Mr. Mr. Craig shared some information that's in your packet, but I think one
031of the critical things that they shared is that essentially the kids in intervention outfit are out using all students by a little bit at 8 weeks of intervention compared to 16 weeks into the web instruction and goes on to give some very specific indicators there um that you know a student that receives two rounds of math intervention in grade will increase her skills by 1.06. So, I I think that when you know Sarah talks about what we're getting from the dollars that we're spending, those are really considerable things to think about. Um, and that we're targeting deficits, but we're bringing those students hopefully up to grade level access curriculum in their classrooms. Um and that one of the things that one of my colleagues wrote within their packet is um that her like her group
032is a place for students who struggle in the class throughout the day to have a small place to land or half an hour every day where they know they'll need success at a level that's specifically designed to be appropriate for them um and celebrating the growth that they make. And um you know, one of my little girls today, she was so annoyed with me because she was out here and I was in there and I came out with another group and she's like waving at me and I was hyperfocused on the kids and there was a lot going on because Scott Haney was here and all the third graders were here and she gets a group later in the day and she goes, "You ignored me." And I'm like, "No, no, I didn't ignore you.
033I agreed." And she goes, "I don't see you and I will face you." and the joy that you see on its faces. One of my kindergarters last week goes, you know, I like you and I said, "Oh, really? Did you not like me?" I like, "Well, why would you like to know?" He goes, "Go learn my letters and words with you." And you know, so I think when we talk about data, data is really, really important, but I think sometimes the things you can't capture in data are just as important. Um and our coaches put together um some information for you and um ask that I read just the impact to you. Um, instructional coaches play a critical role in improving teaching and learning across the district by providing job embedded professional learning, supporting datadriven
034instruction, strengthening curriculum implementation, and helping teachers meet the diverse needs of students through coaching with teaching, co-planning, modeling instruction, facilitating professional learning communities, and analyzing student data with teachers and administrators. Instructional coaches help ensure consistent highquality instruction in every classroom. Instructional coaches also play a key role in supporting the implementation of major district initiatives including the benchmark advanced reading program in grades data 6 and the illustrative math program in grades Ka 8. In addition, they are essential partners in the ongoing work to revise and strengthen the district's social studies curriculum to align with the Connecticut social studies standards. During the 2425 school year, the district lost three instructional coaching positions, significantly reducing the level of support available to teachers in the schools. The proposed budget includes a potential loss of one additional coaching position, which
035would leave the district with four fewer instructional coaches than in previous years. This reduction substantially limits the district's capacity to support instructional improvement implement curriculum and academic initiatives with fidelity and provide assisting professional learning necessary to improve student outcomes and they provided a lot of additional information and I think it's important here to um our interventionists also work closely with our classroom teachers and support them through the SST process through you know basically work out in their classroom how to best meet those needs. And so again, understanding that right now those decisions continue to be in the budget, but um the information that's been shared with you, I think it's critical information. Have you come to the point where we have a conversation? >> Thank you very much, Mr. >> I was going to piggy
036back off Sarah. I'm sorry I didn't hear her last name, but >> yeah, >> if you recall eight years ago we went to the city was put more money to to work on our sped allocation and invest the money in these kinds of positions. Uh I think if you look at the return on investment for these positions, I suspect that it shows that it's paid off quite a bit. I don't know the numbers, but I do know that we've learned over the years that those positions have saved us. I think you might be able to answer better than me, but saved us an awful lot of money because of the efficiency because some of those students that weren't it wasn't necessary that they be in a classification um that required more dollars allocated versus an
037interventionist or whatever else was required to take that student spend the extra time to them. So, we saw great results. In my personal opinion, I would think it would be a mistake for us to learn as well, but it's great to say that. I think it's important as well. >> Can I tap on to that quickly because I think I I remember exactly this conversation with Gary at the time that you're speaking of we used to say special ed was the only game right and if if a parent really was looking for or a teacher and Sandy right there was really nowhere else to go because we didn't have sort of an incremental layer built in to help kids. So we had kids that were maybe into special ed. >> And I do think it's
038important to note that the students who are moving through in special ed now, who are going through the qualification process are actually qualifying. Meaning the students who are getting the support early enough so that they're able to fluidly go back into their coursework. The ones who are qualifying do need that support through special education. And those numbers consistently are rising nationally. But it's nice to have the support so that is teased out prior to having to do all the testing. So I appreciate that. >> Hope hopefully the city can see the importance of those things that issues and maybe take a good look at it when we go back and see what we need. >> Agree. Anybody else have anything else? >> Mr. Wilson, do you happen to have an update on other trends? I
039do um happy to report that the placement amount that we have put in the budget is actually an accurate number. A lot of hard work, countless hours, phone calls back and forth with ground. We actually had a meeting today where that number has been confirmed and we place provided that we keep covers the same. will change for teachers any staff member provider. However, we have any kind of self-funded collaborative basis collaborative and potential for because the timing transfer. There will be a potential to see money being put into a reserve. The reserve was a separate no public totally separate reserve just for insurance purposes and joint purposes only that the board would vote on. For example, we would after two or three years see $3.4 million in there and the increases in insurance will go
040up. The board can make the decision to say 2 million out of our reserve to offset the cost from the budgetary. So it is actually phenomenal news. Um, it is it is still an increase. We don't want to see an increase. I can tell you I received an email over the weekend. The national superintendent group sure has heard from teachers across the country. This is a national problem with insurance and the national superintendent organization is actually addressing this. However, by the time they address it, our budget will be almost done. But in next year, moving forward, this is going to be addressed with other major carriers across the country. So it's not a Connecticut problem, but I can tell you and I can tell you from looking at numbers in other districts, Casville, you know,
041the increases are anywhere from 20 to 52%. So the fact that we are able to hold that put that at this place and that pace will be accurate. Uh as I said uh a lot of hard work, a lot of dedication, a lot of u hours spent with round and round brown and brown looking for every single possible option for 21 public schools as was I that's why this collaborative was mentioned and that's why the compensation took place and they were able to do that. So it is a great thing for it's a great thing for us and also keeps our budget and number that you know is as Mr. Lar said as well a number that has indicative effect not received as we should have received and this number puts us in mind in
042way better shape district that we've actually done research on some of her friends as well that number is extremely high. So the fact that we have an accurate placeholder is something that our team. >> Excellent. Thank you very much. That's great. The collaborative and the entrance to selfunded for a portion of this for all and so it's it's a joint self insurance organization not dissimilar to where it's governed by a document that says you know this is how we structure it. this is how your money is how this is how much how we determine how much back you decided to draw >> that's where I was going to go is we're going to have that agreement that we never had >> right and and it's not a a slush fund I think it's important to
043emphasize what this is talking about is uh you know you always are told by your insurance consultant to fund by anywhere between 5 20% so that if your employees need expenses cover more so than you anticipated they do the money. Uh but over time there tends to be an amount of money that isn't spent, right? Um so we wouldn't be able to treat it like our other non reserves. We would be able to slush fund it, but it would exist to cover those potential unanticipated healthare expenses and we could if it grows us future health. So I just think it's important that we're not creating a slush button for ourselves. It's just how self insurance works. So if at some point the self insurance fund is running ahead, we can use some of that offset.
044>> Correct. >> Great. Fantastic. Nice work everybody. >> Next on our list. Anybody else have anything that they wanted to bring up? >> Discussed about the um the high school uh third assistant principal versus decision. situations that >> I can start and then anyone from the team can join that that proposal and that position is brought by the union president as well as the high school administrative team. high school administrative team felt that most of their issues they need another administrator was to handle district problems that the current administrator model the principal to assist their additions where the teachers have been in the classroom. So they felt that's why it was brought up to the table that they can if they brought the deition back to him at this point then the principal of two
045and a director would be able to work with [clears throat] more efficiently more effectively classroom evaluations and when that was pitch pitched to us at central office we agreed and we thought that that was a great idea being that discipline numbers that so that's exactly why the decision was made to not bill and for that position had not been filled this year for personal reasons but that wasn't the reason that it was taken out. The reason was because of um president was feeling that we were able to do it this year without thought that we were able to do this. >> Okay. prior to this shoot, you have something. >> I'm sorry. The only thing I wanted to add was I think there has just been a little bit of confusion and the high school
046principal and I have gone back and forth with the job description and the job description of the dean, they can handle all levels of discipline than any admin can handle. So, they won't be handling just lower level discipline. And I and I think that was said and I just wanted to clarify that that the administrative dean is a member of the administrator's union and can handle any level of discipline that any administrator in the building can handle. So so there's not there's no exclusion on that. They wouldn't be just handling lower level. They would be handling anything that an AP can handle. So just to clarify. >> Okay. So good. So what I'm trying to grasp is so up until this year we have to pay and my personal funding extremely effective. Um and then
047we had to move some money to pass which was fine. Um so this is coming as a request from the union and the administration >> from the high school administration >> but it seems we have some opposition to that point. So I want to make sure that this is being met in correctly. >> Yeah. So the again the high school administrative team brought it forward for consideration. Um, you know, I know there has been some conflicting pieces and you know, I respect everybody's opinions, but just I want did want to clarify that because I heard that several times that the administrative dean could only handle the lower level discipline and and I think again because of the addition of the athletic director. I think that was the reason why it was thought that it would
048be it would actually create more efficiency within the building. >> Kristen, I think they're referencing you're talking about the union. You're not correct. >> Might be worth knowing that if I recall, I may be wrong. I think we used to have three assistant >> that's right. >> No, no, no. I'm just I think also the administration the reading and that was their needs and someone >> right you know I just I just want to make a point that I do believe that um unfortunately I think teachers in general that the profession is underpaid over and I don't want to make sure that they're not >> yeah I feel like I feel like this create less cumbersome for the teacher because they would have one person to go to for that piece but there would be
049somebody so I feel like it would be less >> sorry this and did this I recall by saying look we don't get any we don't get money from the city that we need right the lesson learned to date along the way we have if you had position I mean that's all >> and particularly because of the addition of the athletic director being able to take on the evaluation of the PE and the health and handling all the components of scheduling of the of the things with the complex and and all of those components that that position would take on. They just they felt like that would make things more efficient. >> So a dean can do more than an AP. I just I want to make sure >> a dean can do the same as
050an AP. The only difference is really that they don't work over the summer. That's the only difference. >> They can handle all that. So at the last meeting I specifically asked for the department head's concerns to be addressed question that and was told the department heads and I apologize I'm reading for statement the department head's concern the teacher was quote spoken to by the principal and the rale was explained and the teacher agrees and met with the superintendent But it doesn't seem like the teachers in the department heads are in agreement because they're here again tonight. Um, so I'm not sure where the confusion lies. I also specifically asked what the dean was hand what the dean would handle as I worked at Torren High School under a dean and assistant principles and I was
051told all lowlevel discipline. So again, maybe someone can clarify those two things since that would hold something completely different. >> I can clarify exactly what I said. I did have a conversation with Mr. Granville and I also stated that I believe Mr. Scott had a follow-up conversation with him and the lead teachers. I said that was my understanding. Mr. Granville, I don't mean to point you out when he just happened to be in the audience. When him and I spoke, he was happy that I went to speak to him and he understood that it's he said I don't want to miss him. Now that he understands that the AD can handle the PE in the health department as I shared last week that made the sense in terms of the discipline I think Kra said
052dean you you were there when there was a dean can handle all disciplines not just low levels and that's the reason why this position makes sense bringing it on which handle two other departments which give them that one-on-one time which would make the two a team and the principal work other department one-on-one time which I believe at the heart of the concern from lead teacher was that and I don't want to speak for them because they are here tonight but the dean can do role in the district. So I hope that clears it up but that's exactly what I shared in last week's meeting. >> It was shared that they understand now and they're in agreement but it doesn't seem that that's >> I don't know why they came back this evening. I I can
053tell you I had a conversation is what I shared and I know I I said I think that Mr. Stop had a follow-up conversation. So it sounds like a dean can do the same can fulfill the same roles as an assistant principal but with the limitation that they're over the course of 10 months. It would also seem that the structure may be so while they may be able to do anything that assistant principal can do the structure of it may be different if I accurately summarize this >> beautifully spoken. >> Yes, the job descriptions are also different. I mean, I don't I think it's a you're playing a dangerous game with a group of unionized people when you start saying one of them who gets paid $30,000 less can do the exact same things as
054the ones who get paid $130,000 more. Uh that that is a dangerous game to play with unionized people with codified job descriptions. So, if they're not actually doing the same things, I don't think we should be saying that. >> Okay. >> Their job descriptions are actually the same. It's just the 10 months. They they have everything in them. It's just we've chosen to use them for discipline primarily, but they do have it in their evaluation. It's it's the job description that we agreed on when they were added. >> So, they are the exact same. >> Yes. Other than the 10-month schedule. Yes. And Mr. Scott and I have spoken about this. That's not the intention here. The intention is that it will be primarily for discipline, but if we needed them to evaluate a certified
055staff member, they could. It's in their job description. So, so, uh, I guess I kind of cut you off, but if you're going to give me the floor, Jeff, um, my look, I think some of this conversation is a little bit super because the people that we're talking about, uh, having conversations with the writing letters are sitting here, so we can just ask them. But uh more but before we do, I just want to say what I think here is that we ought to just uh to Miss Ferguson's uh idea here, we should just restore the AP position to the budget and add a dean because it sounds like to me that's probably what is actually desirable. And then if we have to return to this issue and discuss whether we may be able to
056live without an AP, we could. this isn't the point in the budget where I think we ought to be doing that if we think it's productive for our outcomes. Uh we should just add a theme. Um I'm fine with that, right? If people are saying this would work out great, we would add an administrator and we focus on discipline without taking away an AP. I'm happy to submit that in our budget. >> Anybody else have anything they want to add on this? Ch. >> Yes. >> Just make a quick point. Um just as a district over the last couple years. Um we made great strides with with discipline and holding our students accountable for their actions. Um as well as um you know making sure that the staff was supported. Um, so I just want
057to make sure >> and at this point in the budget, whatever this committee decides is going to go to the full board for approval and then the city's going to have their input on it. We will all sit at a table like this again and make hopefully not, but we may have to make these hard decisions. Anything that doesn't happen today may have to happen later. Obviously, I'll ask the committee or Mr. >> and it'll be up to your committee to to make that decision. I I wasn't sure if Mrs. Ferguson was confused. >> I was sorry. I was building on what she said. I wasn't saying she said what I was saying >> to make it clear. >> Committee members want leave it as is. You want to add the >> make it three
058principles of the de. >> Yeah, I agree with >> Okay. Then we will add that one back for now and some point in the future has to change. >> It has to change. >> Is is that get moved to the full board for a full board vote? >> Yeah. Well, the whole budget will move >> to the full board. >> Yeah. Well, I'll speak my piece. I I would rather take the opinion of the superintendent and his team on what they develop. I mean, if the dean can accomplish it with two assistant principles and the budget allows, then we can instead of having another assistant principal, those salaries can be used elsewhere. I mean, if they can manage the building with two assistant principles, a principal and a dean, why add another administrator? >> Mr.
059I would go with their their their opinion as well assistant superintendent superintendent but we often debate it at the at the board. >> Sure. I guess the other question we could ask is you guys all go through various departments. I know we start right with a budget that has a bunch of stuff when we go to a level two. Is that how you guys do it internally as well? Your departments all get together and >> that's correct. So, was the change a result of, hey, this is what we need to do. Here's here's what we would love to have. And I hope we submit everybody else. Here's what we'd love to have. And then the reality sets in, right? We have to sharpen our pencils and come together with a budget that you and your
060cabinet feel comfortable submitting, right? That's pretty much how you guys do it, right? >> Yes. No. But once again, this is I think what assistant superintendent Ferguson was saying, and I certainly won't put words in their mouth. This was that was the exact pitch that came from the high school administration. They said by bringing the AD on with those department under that under that person he or she and bringing the dean on to handle the discipline then the building could run efficiently as it has this year. Was anyone happy? Just like we weren't happy bringing 13 cups to you. But I I think that that pitch came loud and clear. And that's why when we as a cabinet sat down and said, "Okay, for high school, intermediate school, what stuck?" And what stood on there?
061That's what stuck and that's why it was presented in the budget. It was never an edict from central office to eliminate. It was a thoughtful approach because we ask our administrators to be thoughtful and fiscally responsible as opposed to coming in and asking for it all. They come in and ask for what is needed. So the fact that the high school came in and asked for what is needed and thinking that they could do the job with what it is, that's exactly how it came to be and that's why it was on the first iteration and not one of the potential. So please >> No, that's exactly what I was trying to say that and and Michael just said it. I'm just saying it not as eloquently because I think what we what we charged
062the administrators with prior to coming forward with their initial budget presentation was look it's going to be another rough year. Please, please, please, it's got to be the leanest budget you can bring forward. So everybody everybody right rose to that challenge and came forward and the high school principal came forward and said look it in in that spirit right of knowing that we will potentially not be able to have the money to afford the Cadillac what we've learned this year or what we're learning this year is that we may be able to make this work we will probably be able to make this work if we could have the again Would they love to have all of them? Yes. But that's not where we are that reality. That was my impression, Kim. You weren't there.
063>> Yes. Yeah, that's correct. >> Just submit that it very well could be our reality. Um and that we ought to do it. Um there are, forgive me, but something like just shy of 1,200 students at the high school. Is that right? Um we've done a per student per administrator number and by adding the dean in every school would be approximately I want to say it was 327 if my memories correctly uh per so student per administrator so it does not change the ratio >> well no I I understand um but so how many how many APs are there at the middle school >> one AP one principal >> 660 for 600. Uh I mean I I don't really love these ratios anywhere even if they are consistent. And so knowing full well that we
064don't have the ability to add administrators everywhere, right? Um I would say we should very least in our initial proposal probably not because eliminating one uh we don't need to and at this point in our budget we don't need to right. We we submit what we think will be effective and productive and support our educational mission. When we receive our mandate from the city to reduce our budget, then we have to have these conversations. But uh you know while we had some interest I think on the board of being somewhat realistic in in submitting a budget that we need and think will be effective. I think in this case this is something that will be effective and is worth maintaining. The the other side of this is Schulty, you said that this is a the
065difference between the dean and an AP is 10 month first. >> So >> yes, >> the alternative is maybe a happy medium is using if you have three APS that you can still structure however you want. You get the 12 you get all 12 months out of all three people. Is that a >> if you can still structure it for your type of thing, is that more appealing to the board or to our committee? I'm not sure if it still works. You have to tell us that can still work structurally. Correct. Yes. >> You're you're saying maintain the community that don't edit. >> Well, and if if that's you know people have kind of gone around it was it was kind of a give. Mr. Wilson said it was a it was an offer from
066the group to say hey if we have to do this but they probably they would have come and said we don't want an assistant principal and we understand we retract present a very accurate budget and that difference is $30,000. Maybe the response, maybe the thing this committee could consider is restoring just staying with three assistant principles which gives you the dean in essence but all 12 months >> just as a >> I think we should just go with the administration's advice. It's their buildings. It's their employees want them to run it how they want to run. >> Will Mr. got the board of education and no matter how we look at this we have limited funds so first we go to them for their ideas and their list whatever whatever you have I haven't been
067and then and then we debate uh in the end if we have to spend another $50,000 it's coming from somewhere else so I don't know where it come from we don't know So I think we have to I would go with their your your decisions right now but in the end like you said it may be that we have to make more cuts or less cuts. We don't know we can evaluate that when the board gets together rather than trying to decide but that's just my thought process is what we can do then we'll just ask Mr. refer Mr. You can ask him what they prefer. We're going to go to the city. The difference of $30,000 isn't significant. Whereas what suggested was add another $130,000. So maybe the mediums will carry across that seems
068like a reasonable approach. I understand everybody's point of view, but they're pretty good with that. Okay. System principle piece. On to the next. Anybody else have anything from >> I got from what do you have? >> Um, this goes back to the landscaping thing and not to put you on the spot, but I was looking at the Oh, the snow plowing. Gary brought up the snow plowing. Are you comfortable with that number? I'm looking at the landscaping line item. Um, I know our last budgeted line item we we were over we were at like 250 or 260 for the year, yet we're still carrying 210 for landscaping and the proposed contract expanded the scope of work. So, I don't know if that 210 number is going to be. >> So, I can I can start
069and you can jump in. Um, so the 210, we did go over the 210 and that was because of the redistricting and having lines drawn in all the parking lots, things that were outside of the regular landscaping contract. So, not having that moving forward is a little bit promising that maybe the 210 will stick as far as um a >> with the expanded scope of work on the proposed contract that was presented last week. >> You're talking about the turf. >> Yeah. So that is that's actually on a different line item in the budget that shows up under I think it's called turf maintenance and right now uh we have like 7,000 there and you can correct me if I'm wrong that's for maintenance and for inspection. So that line you are correct should be
070looked at as well. >> But the scope of work was drastically expanding it above and beyond the bianual you were talking in your in your proposal you were saying you know weekly maintenance. This the $7,000 I think is only once or twice a year to fluff it up and and do the test. >> Yeah. So that will be that will be an estimate of somewhere in the neighborhood of for them to come in is in a different line item. She's saying I think we're in the neighborhood of like 28,000 for all the fields. 25 to 28,000 something like that for what you're talking about. The weekly maintenance, excuse me, [clears throat] that is in this year's budget has always been done. It just has never been identified as being done. So I know there was
071a lot of loopholes uh >> always done by who? So, so our current landscaper has been on those fields doing the stuff that I wrote down for weekly maintenance. It's just identified on there. So, there's no gray areas on what the do bids in, you know, includes the additional scope of work. I agree with you is the additional fields we have. So the additional turf that we have the 6 acres whatever it is or 4 acres additional of >> acres >> that we have cuz it's in acres right >> um you know we do have we did spend more money this year especially at the high school on landscaping where we went and we cleaned up some areas that weren't part of the contract um that enhanced the property especially along the fence line a
072fence line we spent some money cleaning that up back there we spent some money along the other side of uh that runs parallel with the apartments back there. So, we dropped a little bit of money there. We dropped some with with some of the storage containers out back. I'm not expecting that type of spending this year with that. >> Okay. So, that's that's where we're kind of think we're pretty close >> pretty close to carry the 210. Okay. and then not change the maintenance number because in the Q&A I think it was stated that that doesn't need to happen until the next fiscal year that inspection process because this this the fields will come online in April. >> Yeah. >> And they wouldn't really be >> wouldn't be touching >> or at least until that
073next offseason summer >> the weekly stuff you still have to do. >> Okay. >> So the stuff that that Mr. B is talking about. Yeah, that's got to be done as soon as uh as soon as we get out in the field. That's ours. >> Okay. And you're you're proposing we still outsource that versus do it internally. >> Absolutely. >> Well, the annual maintenance contract in your proposed budget is still at 7,000. So, if it's going to increase to 30,000. >> Yep. >> Then that light item should be changed as well for level two. >> No, you're right. >> That Mr. that maintenance line item to my understanding is the inspection by field turf when they come out and check the deflection rate. >> Yeah, that's what you just explained. You explained that that may
074increase to 30,000 there'll be an additional fee. >> Yeah. In the following budget year because the fields don't come online until the end of April and you do you would do it in the one the first inspection would be at the one year [cough] practice. >> You [clears throat] guys do it annually if they come on in April. >> Well, it's done it's done twice a year. >> So there there may be a difference in there. I would need a calendar from me right now. I'm sorry to kind of pinpoint when that is. >> But Mr. Longabuku had mentioned in our last meeting, but you would be the authority on this. You guys would know. >> Yeah. So, so they wouldn't do the spring one, right? But they would come back and do the fall
075one because it does it's done twice a year. If we were on the field for summer, you know, spring and summer and fall, then they would come and do the fall, I would think, at this point. But again, all the depends when we get the field, too. So, that's why it's a tough to go out to bid now to be honest. >> We don't get it till July one >> because we're not in there. Yeah. We don't [clears throat] have you don't want to cross your fingers with that one. >> And I have one question for and I'm not sure where this would fall in >> the athletic trainer. Where does that position fall? Is it a stipen position or is it in here somewhere? >> It's it's a full-time non-certified position. So, it's it's
076in um it's in the non-certified salaries. I just want >> Yeah. >> So, it's I I don't see it in here, but is that still the same number being being carried over for next year? >> Yes. Yeah. Can we increase that so we can actually entice someone to fill that role? >> Boards will choose. Yeah, it's non-union. >> I mean, >> it's non-union. So, it's a non-union position. So, so that's at the board. >> It's in the non-certified position. So, >> it's in the non-certified school. It's at the high school. >> 49,000 about >> 49. about 49. >> Is this full position or >> fulltime 10 months? >> Sure. Because they're at every single game during our correct and we're obligated to ask >> believe so. Yes. >> We previous to last year it was
077a position that we hired um a service to do like a third party contract. So it wasn't an employee that we had hired. We've only had that position for a year, maybe two. And then over the summer, the person that we had resigned, took a different position and and we struggled to fill the position, which is why then Mr. McKenna went out and, you know, outsourced it to a third party. >> What's the has the third party service been responsive showing up? What's our cost? >> I don't know the answer to contract services. increase. >> Well, it won't be a certified position because it's not a TRB position. So, so it would still be a non-certified position. >> You would just give it a raise. You need to raise the the cost of deposition and
078be able to offer a >> warrior, >> the person that left here is a nonend. >> That's the go. We're at risk without having one. If somebody gets hurt, it's it's a it's a serious problem in the school itself. There used to be a trainer at all games, all activities. Without one, we expose ourselves to serious risk. And yes, 49,000 is low. Talk at the overall meetings, but I do know that the fellow that was here before left,000. So that's probably the going rate. So to underestimate it, it's probably not a good idea if we because we need something, you know, and I don't maybe They may be affected like next year. I believe you. I don't know. >> Yeah. >> But are we not are we not getting applicants for the position? >> We're
079not. >> I I do believe the salaries low. Um I was told a different number that the person got. I was not I was told it was 55. No. >> So um and I did was also told it was a different district. It wasn't cuz the person the district that I got the reference for um and their salary was lower than that. I do believe our salary is low. So yes, I I don't I don't that is that is not the average salary that I've seen for the postings. I think 75 is a little high, but that's just my opinion. >> Do you have resources available to you? You can see what [clears throat] the average is in the state. >> I can have that information for Wednesday if you'd like. >> Why don't we
080do that for Wednesday? Find that average. >> I have a totally different question. Finish that. >> Yeah. So we can maybe we can do that. >> I can do that [clears throat] for you. I don't know if through there you find that like the raise were to be certified employee therefore raise a more qualified person I don't know that like if you were to increase the current salary the current position therefore anyway hire more qualifications get more out of it >> I think they have all have to have the same qualifications and it's it's not a job that would qualify for TRB no matter what. So yes, >> certified versus non-certified is in that particular role. That person just has to be >> person still has to have a coaching permit and has to have
081the credentials. They're just not qualified for TRB. That's the difference between certified and non-certified. >> Is your question about the >> Yes, comment. Um just to clarify, um I had heard the club. >> Say that again. 000. >> Okay. >> Yeah, that that that might be a little closer. I didn't I didn't hear that it was >> I didn't >> I did not hear it was that high and I've not seen any postings even close to that amount, but I do believe our salary is low for sure. I think that's why we're not getting anything. So, >> the market when we get there >> next question. >> Okay. And so one of the questions I had asked um I had sent to Mr. wasn't regarding statements and when that was just mentioned brought to mind.
082Um in this budget there were sipons added or ded into or um coordinators department um and uh off it was uh for drama for student government um and the questions I asked had to do with so was added two segments were added um at the torch reading school for next year for student. My question is would the board be willing to add a site for student government to each of our PK3 um because they also grant student council student government um in terms of equity and fairness and that is $297. So it would be three segments $297. Um, also further request of a high school was added at high school for nationals. There's three national consideration. Besides besides us besides us that haven't been asked was there reason we didn't do positions already they already
083exist >> and they've been volunteering to do them and but if we're putting funding for cycle at the intermediate school I would like to see that for elementary schools. Can you guys hear me with this? >> Anybody else have anything on that one? >> Central office [clears throat] have anything on that? >> Yeah. Do you know the number that has developed? So yes, we're looking for developed >> to make it agree. We'll add those to the budget. >> Can I get clarity? I just wanted So we're adding one to each elementary school for student government and the junior honor society. >> Got it. >> Yep. CTMS. >> Yep. >> Anybody else have other budget questions or things to bring up? Last meeting you spoke about the position and I appreciate your clarification on your situation
084in the numbers and if you have less teacher are we cutting any classes that may be less attended for other health and PE electives so I think what she's asking I asked the question last time I probably didn't ask it entirely in its completion. I said, "Are we going to lose any PE sections?" >> What slay is asking is, "Are we going to lose any health sections?" Because I know PE covers both of them. So, there's three less. I have a PE teacher who cover three or four periods, correct? >> Three periods. So, what are we doing to those three sections? Are we removing three sections? My comment was we have three less sections because of the drop of a half teacher. What are we doing? What are we losing from those three sections? Maybe
085they're not attended well, meaning you've cut the class, but you can clarify. >> Yeah, I I don't I don't have that information. We'd have to probably get that from Mr. Scott. >> Okay. Can we have that before? >> Sure. >> No, that's it. I think we're going to need the information. Yes, just on that same topic. Um I think you know if if we are say it would make sense to me to just have again because at this point we have to think about what we actually not necessarily what we think we will that's a couple of months So central office get us the answer to that question. On Wednesday we decide as a board here to change it. Does that work? >> Anybody else here have any questions? I've got a couple, but anybody
086else have anything they want to bring up? Anybody in the crowd? >> I just ask one question as there from city council or from the mayor Einstein what she's looking for budgets to come in at. I know in the past, this is a new mayor. I know in the past that we've been told we're looking for 0% increase. We've not heard that number. I'm asking the board, has have you or Mr. Wilson, have you heard that number from the mayor or the office of mayor? >> Sure. Um in my conversations with the mayor uh she is looking for relatively low budget proposals from her departments. Um you know my position as I uh made clear her is that you know the board of edits to present what it believes that we need. Um you know
087the city will have some revenue increase. Um, so my goal as we go through this process, uh, is to seek at least half of that revenue service. Um, you know, over the last few years, the city's revenue has really ballooned. It's increased by millions upon millions. Almost none of it is coming to school. So, if we're going to squeeze the city's taxpayers, which is what they're doing, uh, to, you know, shake the chains under couches, then I think it's not unreasonable that the same city taxpayer should expect that some of that money should pay for the school children. Um, so, you know, I I put it much nicer to the mayor. I'm just condensing it for you all that, uh, our my goal as we as we go through this will be to see at
088least half of the city's revenue increase. I feel that it is fair. Um, and I feel more importantly that we desperately need it. So, I don't anticipate that we should be getting three or4 million. Um, but I think it's important to present a budget that we think is necessary, but I do think that there's a reasonable prospect of getting something. The mayor has been reasonable and fair discussions this. >> Thank you. I think publicly saying that out loud. I think those conversations is helpful for others here because it's been doom and gloom for so long. So, thank you. >> Fingers crossed by everybody. adoption. We're starting to get in and they're coming in. So, we'll have >> Fantastic. >> I don't know if this is working. >> Okay. >> It doesn't sound yet. >> Don't
089Don't whisper. >> Yeah, we're not going to whisper. Um I was just going to give some data a data point of what Mr. Cory was saying earlier that we did do an analysis over the past 8 years and if you average what our increase was it's a little less than 1%. It's 86%. Y >> over the past eight years. So I just wanted to put that out there. And then I also wanted to say we did dig even deeper and I want to thank um Miss Leia for asking about the membership and dues. Um there is a potential savings for $16,845. Um, so you know, if we're shaking the trees, that's definitely a place where we can go. >> I have a question about teacher residency program. Now, this be my poor memory. Was this
090something we had to do as a part of alliance or there was some program for internship? There was I can't [clears throat] what it was called, but there was one program we had to offer as a part of the alliance. Was this not it? We got a runner up. >> We are required to offer any program [clears throat] that that is issued, but we had to develop a plan for recruitment. Um, and it was part of our plan for recruitment, but we have the board did vote several years ago on the teacher residency program and on the relay program. And so we have had candidates in both of those residency programs that we've supported where we have supported them in their path to becoming certified teachers and then they become teachers in our district. So
091the program is not required by the state or anything like that, but we did include it in our plan for recruitment that we submitted to the state, but we are still the other the other plan is still continues to be funded, the relay residency. And you know, I'm hoping that this will maybe be a one-year cause and that maybe it's just this year and maybe next year we can potentially look at candidates again for the residency program, but we haven't had any of our candidates this year that have applied to the program. So, I think this is a year where we can potentially use this as an opportunity to be able to to save some money in the budget. We do have candidates that have expressed interest in the relay program. So, we will still
092have candidates going through those residency programs this year through the district. It just won't be through that program. It's one through crack. Great. >> One last question. Was the moving a food service secretary into [clears throat] >> Sorry, I'll get up this earlier. Um the the position is currently funded um partially out of food service and partially out of GB because the position is split between finance and food service. Um it was we we just corrected that in the budget. So it's not really a change. We just corrected the funding. So now we're showing the funding. So it was just correcting where it's currently being. Okay, beyond that, my other question was my last question. You guys did a great job answering all the questions before I got to ask them tonight. So, thank you.
093The last question was just on the IT tech that we're cutting. Are we going to move that one back into GB or what we planning on doing with the IT tech? because it was not included on the list that IT would go back in. >> No, I'm saying the one that we we have out of the cafeteria >> that that is totally separate that is still remaining in the cafeteria that's from service perspective. That is not from perspective. That is service perspective technision not. >> Okay. Do we have some do we have somebody in that level two now? >> No. >> It's over. question. >> Yeah, hold on to that. So, we're we're talking about something about not a word that's per what are we talking about this uh that that is that is I
094just want to make sure that we all appreciate that clarifying Mr. question that there was an IT position hired by group services. Group services ask a separate entity while we have in-house group services. That was a separate entity. So group service made a decision to hire a technician food service program that was a question last meeting. issue one here is a different service which answers question that person >> could I have point of order please I think this this topic is outside the agenda >> budget whether it's a lot Thank you. >> The only if you guys have got it all sorted out and state and federal government agree that that's fine. I just want to make make sure for our last conversation that we're good on. >> Okay. >> All right. Any other questions
095on the budget for tonight? >> Yeah. Uh I I didn't watch the video or watch to the discussion. on that part. But I did believe some of the documents uh there's a substantial amount of money. My understanding, tell me if I'm wrong, is that only allowed to carry a certain amount of death. >> So what uh what is the plan where we're going? I know that you guys have admissions for lots of equipment and new programs. Um so I guess money moving around >> point of information is the food service budget the budget of the board of maps. >> It's not my meeting the parliamentarily that would not be information that was >> Jeff can't just say point of information and cut me off short version of what I just said. Well, for the sake
096of us all trying to work together, let's just figure out what the question is first. >> Yeah, I I repeat the question, but I'm not going to be cut off. No, my question is very simple. There's only a certain amount of money that we're allowed to carry in this in this account as a reads. So I'm just wondering I know we've talked like over the years and some really ambitious stuff good stuff that we want to do programs equipment etc. So I'm just asking where the team is looking to push that money forward >> the money was expensed this year by the state um for a percentage of the electricity this year. So the excess funds that I have had in uh the state, my financial report I filed right here has already been expensed.
097So it will run me into a threshold where I need to pay. We are on track to spend every dime that I claim to the state that will be spent the IT position by my state rep as well as the electricity. So for the sake of clarity going forward. So for the sake of clarity on through this next year when the when the cafeteria if there is an excess how does that just does it get addressed by us? Is that something that you work to reconcile? Um, and I think it's it's I'm curious where does it lie and is that typically your purview because I don't know. >> I work with Donna and the superintendent at the end of the year every year and I have to submit everything I do to the state of
098Connecticut which governs everything I do. Um, so all my financial paperwork is within the state's website. I do use New World. Um but at the end of the year if there is that excess balance I have to submit proposal on how I'm spending that and that is always discussed with the director of finance and the superintendent on how we're going to move forward to eliminate this expense. >> So if there's a surplus you can use it yourself or can can you transfer it over or is it simply something that sustains the cafeteria? There are allowable expenses which are indirect or direct. Um so it can be for the certain items, the electricity, the utilities, the garbage. Um because that is related to my program. Um there's there are stretches in the program where but they
099make sense. They make perfect sense for the program and just because it wasn't done in the past doesn't mean it can't be done moving forward. >> I have another question. I'm not familiar with it. So I just Yep. >> So next year we can >> Yep. So everything I do I mean I will say the past I've been in the bookkeeper position now the director for eight years. We it's it's been small chunks that have kept adding up and now this year we're doing a large expense between two different items which have been approved and we're right on track. >> Okay. You mind me asking about that or No, you don't. I'm just curious. a percentage of the electricity for the district and the IT technicians which we need big time. >> You're welcome. >>
100Just to add I suspect I suspect that you got a fair amount of funding in the co time because of all the extra work that correct some of that >> we'll say accumulation Mr. from the co era. Is that >> correct? Very accurate. >> Anybody else with a question? Anybody at the central office have anything that anybody in the crowd have a question before we take our next steps? >> Will you will you answer my question on Wednesday or is it closed question and answer? So, if I can't find the number in the budget for TIS playground, will you answer my question on Wednesday or is today the only day to answer questions? >> So, so I don't have that capital budget in front of me. >> Yeah, I looked at it already and there's
101nothing in >> say I don't think it's in the capital plan. >> It must be a capital question. If it's not in the capital plan, then it's >> then the answer is $0. >> It would be $0. So, does this is this board interested in improving the playground and the playscape area at TIS or should I put my energy and effort elsewhere? >> Mr. is is there what are we speaking about? What are we talking about in terms of dollars? Because >> zero the cost of this. >> Well, I have I mean I can tell you what I think. I know that the principal, Mr. Klein, wrote a grant for about $18,000 that was supposed to be matched by the district last year. Is that correct? Was it fit together grant? And if he was
102awarded it, he would have we would have matched it. >> Is that correct, M? >> I think it was the match was coming from another grant. >> Okay. So that's 36,000, >> not the GD. >> But so right now, no one has told me like this is what it will cost and this is why we can't afford it. If you give me a number, I'll get the parents to we'll start fundraising on the PTO, but all I get is go to the next meeting or I'll look at it at my leisure and >> for assignments. >> I believe that uh I'm not aware of the dollar amount for TIS, but I believe that the Vogal webinar when they used ESR grant, I believe that's correct, the city award them grant, I believe it was a
103little over 50,000 to put in a pretty I mean it's a nice area, but it's not exactly enormous. It's not big. Um, so I would guess that you're probably looking for is probably hundred plus thousand. >> But that's not something a citizen usually does, right? The principal would have to ask for that money from the board or how does that work? >> You probably know the answer. >> Yeah. Uh, so process-wise, the board at it at its pleasure uh can add items to the capital plan. Um, our capital plan, however, is structured over the course of 5 years in tears of meat. And so, um, the unfortunate truth is that if you review it, um, it's full of things that we have been putting in these capital plans that are 5-year developments for 15 years.
104I mean, uh, this stuff is, uh, a lot of old equipment, deferred maintenance, um, you know, by way of example, >> breakthrough, right? um at uh that's to right uh HBAC pooling for the students and so I don't think that anybody here would say I hate playgrounds and never want to put them in. >> Well, they did have that discussion a couple months ago about whether or not they were necessary. >> Well, uh okay, let me put it this way. I'll speak for myself. I don't think that playgrounds are bad and I would love to have an extra $150,000 put into them, but the unfortunate truth is that even our capital plan of our absolute most desperate needs goes unfunded year over year by the city of Toronto. And so it's not that it's impossible
105to put this in the capital plan. it's that the amount of money allocated for capital versus the tremendous need of these ancient buildings uh makes it so that quite frankly in my humble opinion we just in the unfortunate position that playgrounds go pretty low on the list. Now that's not to say that that we can't pursue grants for them and I think that's you know something that Donna routinely does right because we pursued grants for some of the others around the district. So, you know, by all means, um I think it's reasonable to to pursue grants for that, but my would be that just lacks the ability to put it into its capital bed at this time. >> Um I'll just add that I believe most of the last playgrounds have actually been grant funded.
106As much as this board would love to say, here's a quarter million dollars and let's do it. There are the last couple of years if you if you go back look at city budgets, we have received zero dollars for capital. So the money we've been able to spend this year on capital is a reclass money that we actually funded on our own for a turf build replacement over the course [clears throat] of some years. So the money that's being used to spend on these emergency repairs, uh chillers, a portion of the roof of the TIS that as you're well aware still leaks. So some of these things we haven't had the funding to do, we haven't gotten from the city. we have been able to use money that we actually funded on our own. So
107yes, we certainly would all love to encourage the grant process, but I only speak for myself. I don't I don't know where we would find the $150,000 of capital GB with the city presenting as if I might just continue the discussion very briefly. um you know if folks in the community are looking for like a at least approximate estimate of what it may cost to do this so that they can locate I mean there are some pretty affluent people that may be able to help um how much effort is it on the part of your team here to just put together a rough estimate of of a cost to to give them that number and say this is what we think it's going to cost you >> it's in >> okay all right so it's
108He said it's in the works. So, it's in process. So, we're looking to to come up with this number so that if people in our community are feeling inspired, thank you raised. So, >> thank you very much. >> Would it be fair to go to have maybe that number for our next in for the next facility meeting? >> Um, I don't know. It's in the it's in our playground guys hands right now. So, we looked at the site when there was 3 ft of snow on there and it's kind of we're looking around at a few different locations with Mr. Klein was there with me and we kind of went over a few different options and he'll give you some options on, you know, the Cadillac or Volkswagen or somewhere in between. >> Nothing wrong
109with VWs, by the way. >> We're looking for a Toyota, >> but I'll I'll speak louder. I think if you could bring the parents to the board of ed meetings at city hall as many >> um website information it's not been scheduled yet but you have to you have to bring people in because nobody shows up. >> Well, respectfully it's during dinner time and we have young children. I mean we're trying our best. We're here >> but we can't make that. We can't >> we can't make money. >> You have to do it. I mean I have to make money. >> No no you have to bring No. The residents of Torington have to show up. We don't have any leverage. >> Did you um This wasn't I couldn't find this anywhere. Wasn't on the
110Torren school's Facebook page. >> It was sent out via Harrisburg email. I didn't get it. Did you >> email? No. Harrisburg. No. >> Do you want Aaron's help or not? >> We're trying to walk along here. >> Don't put it on us. We're we're asking for parents to show up at these board finance meetings and explain the importance of what you're asking because we're we're asked to do a budget with bare bones. >> All right, we're going to we're going to sidestep this conversation in this particular meeting. I would I would encourage everybody to come to those city meetings and advocate for these types of expenses as we don't get a lot of money if any at all. Most >> I was here saying that too one year ago I said the same thing one
111year. >> Do you know what the city gave us in capital money last year? >> It was zero. >> That's not >> it's not our job either. >> Mr. Burger, we're going to we're going to move on. >> All right. We're looking for there's no other questions on the budget. >> You're looking to move the budget with the amendments that we've suggested to central office to the full board for this Wednesday's meeting. Um obviously the they will bring those few changes in the consulting gives us the approximate cost to adjust the trainer to [clears throat] >> any other requests or adjustments before we make a motion. >> You want to make a motion? Second. >> All those in favor? I. Anybody opposed? >> All right. We will send this to the full board. Comments for
112the good of the order. We'll start down few things. >> Thank you, Mr. >> B. Good meeting. Good meeting. >> Good conversation. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Good evening. And I'm happy to put my grant writer hat on and help with um any kind of community problem. Please reach out. Good evening. >> So, just as the last comment of the night, I want to thank all the public who did come out tonight for this meeting. It's important to have your conversation and your participation. It's great to see you all here. Hopefully, you got some of the answers you were looking for, the ones we couldn't give you, I'm sorry. But beyond that, thank you to the central office team for all your hard work, for the great news on the insurance, Mr. Wilson, and
113just the team's effort overall. This has been, you know, a couple weeks in in the making and we appreciate you guys showing up every night and working hard. So, we'll see you all on Wednesday and thank you all. Motion to second. All in favor? This meeting is 7:07 p.m.