001One, two, three, four, five, six, seven. >> All right. Are we uh are we ready to go? >> Yep. >> All right. Looks like we have everyone uh on the board here tonight. Um, so I will call the New Hartford Public Schools Board of Education special meeting uh at 6 PM on Tuesday, March 24th, uh virtual only to order at 6:02 p.m. Um, if you are able, please join me in the Pledge of Allegiance. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America. >> Okay. Thank you. Um the uh we have a few things on the agenda for tonight. Uh first thing is communication to the board of education. um in your packet uh would have been several um communications we received. It looks like we have one, two, three, four, five,
002six communications that came in. Um all those communications were we received one last meeting March 3rd, but these are all in regards to concerns regarding the plan transition from four second grade classrooms to three third grade classrooms for next year. Um each one of the communications that we received was responded to by our superintendent. Uh the first one on March 3rd I had responded to that we reported then. Um so acknowledging the letters came from Sarah and Zack Marcus C Sarah Girardano, Sarah Allen, Eden Tyinski, uh Greta Linquist Marino, and Rebecca Benny. um or the ones that are in our packet for today. Um one thing that I do want to call everyone's attention to is there are some discussion in these um talking about this particular cohort of of students having some um increased
003levels of behavioral issues um as well as some uh IEP and 504s. Um so I did want to make sure we address that. Um, and one of the responses that Jeff had sent was that the administration team meets weekly to review student needs across each cohort and the current second grade is not impacted with IEP 504 nor intervention needs at this moment in time. Nor are there frequent reports of behavioral challenges. In fact, this cohort is the first to have received our new literacy instruction and have responded impressively according to our assessments which we have shared at the board of ed meetings. So, I just want to make sure that everybody on the board is aware that we have responded to each one of these. Uh this cohort based on where we are at this
004point in time um are not um uh do not have excessive issues uh which is allowing us to um maintain our staffing levels uh but moving from four sections in second grade to three sections next year. Um in addition to communications to the board that I just read, we did receive an additional communication today. Uh that communication came from Merritt Budney. Um and that communication was regarding our uh board of I'm sorry, our New Harford public schools um Facebook page and some of the likes that were on that page and maybe following on that page. I'm not a I'm not a Facebook person, but there were some licensing follows regarding political representatives uh which they asked us to remove and um our superintendent responded to that as well and that is in the process of
005uh being taken care of. Um again, we need to be um unaffiliated as the board of education and as New York public schools. Uh superintendent, I think I covered everything. Was there anything else uh for communications that I should note tonight? >> No, that is it. Those have been the communications received to date. >> Okay. Uh, next item is public comment. Um, I'm looking here on the screen and I am only seeing board of education members. I don't see anybody from the public on my screen. Is anybody seeing anything differently? >> I see people there, but I don't see anybody like raising their hand to comment if that's what you're asking. Yeah, I'm I'm surprised. Oh, there they are. That's why um so we do have some um individuals that are on as moderated contributors.
006Um if you would like to speak, please raise your hand and we'll promote you to contribute to the meeting. All right, I'm looking at the list of attendees and I do not see any hands raised. So, I will I will close public comment and move on to item C on our agenda, uh, which is to discuss and adopt the revised 2026 2027 board of ed budget with board of finance action. And I'll turn it over to uh, Superintendent Susa. And then I was not able to attend the board of finance meeting as I was out of town. So, I would also, if um, Kristen Young or John Puzz, I know you were both there, if you wanted to contribute at all, uh, you're more than welcome to. Jeff. >> Okay. Thank you very much. So,
007um, last Tuesday night we attended the board of, uh, finance meeting where they discussed the full town budget with the board of education budget inclusive. Uh, thank you again to Kristen and John and anyone else that was able to join us for that meeting either virtually or in person. Much appreciated. So, the board of finance has um motioned and approved the $147,000 cut from the board of education operating budget and $80,000 cut from the capital uh budget, which sits separately than the operating. In the operating budget, that amount of $147,000 is equivalent to the contingencies which the board of education had provided and in good budgeting faith attempted to make sure that those pieces were in the budget as discussed publicly at our meetings and then brought back to the table at the board of
008finance meeting. So, that is one piece that I'll be making recommendations on this evening. And that will bring our budget down to a 1.99%. Then separate from the operating, like I mentioned, an $80,000 cut from capital that would be uh discussed secondarily from this. And then we need to motion for the new amount for that year, discuss, and then the board will take action on that. So, let's go back to the operating budget component of $147,000. My recommendation because the board of finance was looking to reestablish good relations with the board of education and ensured that they would cover any overages that we would have within our budget for next year. So to remove the contingencies, but with the note that we the board that the board of education would look into um would look
009to contact them or to to be in touch with the board of finance relative to any overages. So the first area that I am recommending a reduction of $100,000 would be found on your page number 19 under tuitions for outplacements. The second recommendation again in alignment with their the board of finance promises to ensure that they would help us or help the board of education in their need would be from the transportation line found on page number 48 for special education. Uh transportation uh that's on page 48 at a cost of $47,000. Those two amounts together would equate to the $147,000 that again was motioned and uh taken action by the board of finance which is their right to do so statutoily for the board of education to take into consideration. So that is the
010operating reduction that I'm recommending to the board of ed with the knowledge that the board of finance if we do have the need where um a student may come to us or need a significant program or an outplacement that they would ensure that they would come to the aid of the board of education under capital expenditures on page number 50. Hey Jeff, do we want to take the operating first and then move into >> Sure. >> capital. >> Yes, I will pause. Yes, sir. Go ahead. >> Right. We'll open it up for any questions or comments from the board. Please feel free. >> Um, I'll make a motion to approve the recommended cuts um by Superintendent Susa based on the board of finances. uh vote to bring our budget down to 1.99% increase. >> Okay,
011we have a motion by Tom Buzzy. Do we have a second? >> Second discussion. >> Have a second by Penny Miller. >> Okay, any discussion? Well, the basic question is if that contingency occurs, where does the does the board of finance just have that money available to cover it? >> Um, on the town side, they also carry a contingency fund u for items such as this. I guess the real question becomes um you know, we have our non-lapsing account and funds in there. Jeff refresh my memor somewhere in the $160,000 range currently >> approximately if that money is needed com if the $20,000 completely is needed to take out of non-lapsing for the refresh of the three Oakill previously known as Oakill classrooms that is correct >> okay and um our non-lapsing is is statutory
012right and the requirements of or the the allowed uses of that um will this should we have an outplacement can we use that funds towards an outplacement or special education transportation which were removed from the budget can we use the non-laps >> yes because they are uh educational expenses the difficulty with that we can because the diffic the only thing to think about is if it is a reoccurring expense it really should not be but with an out placement that is year-to-year that is revisited um in terms of student placement if that were the particular place that we would use it. Typically, you want to use it as a one-time expense so that you're not again budgeting inaccurately year after year. >> Jeff, will the board of finance um require us to deplete the non-lapsing
013account before they assist us if necessary? >> So, that would that cannot be forced. Um, as I stated at the meeting, I I cannot that that is by literally the nine member board. So, they did state that we should take that under consideration before asking for additional funds dependent on the nature of what we're talking about on an overage. So, if it's a contingency in another area, we should consider using our non-lapsing account first and then going to the board of finance. >> Is there a chance the board of finance would reject our request? That's a wonderful question. Kristen, go ahead. Jump in if you'd like. >> I quite frankly brought this up at the meeting um when we were talking about this. Um and um you know, it was just like we in terms
014of the contingencies in the budget and speaking on speaking on behalf of myself and obviously not on behalf of the entire board, you know, every budget I've ever worked on always has contingencies in it. So it's not, you know, it's not it is expected to me to have some contingencies within the budget. when I brought up this topic and when we were talking specifically about outplacements, um, you know, they raised the point that it is it is illegal for us to not fund and support anything we're required to provide for special education needs. So, that was sort of their return on return on that comment that of course they would be helping. Um, I to me there's always a risk. Um I did state that I my preference would be that there was some sort
015of agreement that was in writing because we are all trying to work together and be more collaborative but there right now we're giving verbal commitments among people who are not in their seats in perpetuity. Um and so you know I would rather have some sort of agreement about how this would work in place in my personal opinion but generally you know nobody wants to be out of compliance with the law. So, I think depending on what we would need to go back to them for um from a funding perspective would probably impact the way that they would respond to the request. >> Have they agreed to put it in writing? >> Not to my knowledge, no. But that was >> Have we asked them to put it in writing or no? >> I think that
016we should do that as a my recommendation to the board would be to discuss motion that and have everybody agree or not agree to do so in writing. That would be my recommendation. >> I understand. And like I think another interesting point to kind of like bring up that was discussed at the board of ed meeting was just sort of like the various contingencies. >> Yeah. >> Across the across the town and that it is really all within like one bank account. Like they're not really like earmarked in one way. And so you know it it seems strange to them to have like multiple pockets of money when it's all just kind of like one account within the town. Um so you know that is where some people are coming from in that regard. Well
017and I want to raise that for everybody's consideration. Go ahead John. >> So um to provide some perspective and I'm just going to try to be I I attended the meetings as a community member and I see meetings plural in terms of the five-hour budget workshop was there from beginning to end and then uh was in listen only mode for the board of finance meeting. And so as a community member sitting in those meetings just want to share perspective three three takeaways in my mind. First I would say there you can listen to the meetings uh or listen to the the the minutes from the meetings or uh the there's a real appreciation for the work the board of education had done words that were used transparent responsible balanced thoughtful you know practical. There was
018again a real appreciation for the work we did to bring a budget forward that was different from some of the the past budgets. And so there wasn't discussion about cutting programs, services, roles, anything on those lines. It was really appreciation for this budget that that the board of ed brought forward. Second, there was a a perspective or I hesitant to say a guidance or or a directive, but a perspective um from the the first selectman, board of selectman, and through the board of finance and and it was, you know, um the the direction around this was that there are lots of pockets of contingencies in budgets and reserve funds. It was noted from, you know, obviously there's it was in our budget, you the Farmington Valley Health District, you know, other examples as well. And
019so all these different groups that are affiliated with the town in some way have these pockets of contingency and reserve and they continue to to build up over time. And so by result by result of that there's lots of money that's already taxed that's in various budgets and yet we're trying to to figure out how to keep the overall tax rates for the town reasonable. And so, you know, what is that right balance between having funds on hand and and kind of, you know, various organizations, departments, different budgets versus that the town reserves? And there was also some discussion in the board of finance meeting about how the the town's reserves are relative to credit benchmarks. And the town's doing a great job, you know, by objective benchmarks in terms of their their reserve levels,
020talk about it simply. And so there was a perspective of trying to, you know, reduce the contingencies in individual budgets and reduce the reserves that are spread around in order to bring the more centralized, you know, budgeting together. Um, you know, on one hand that reduces taxes. The counterpoint is, hey, that might mean that certain groups have more influence than they should over budgets if if people have to go to other people to try and ask for budget. I'm not taking an opinion on that, but just from a budgeting perspective, the goal is really to try to centralize more of those reserves and contingencies and not have to bring in as many net new tax dollars in order to keep the tax rates lower. And the third piece here, which was discussed, especially in the
021the board of finance meeting the last Tuesday, was really about trying to collaborate more and to work together more as as one team, you know, not just three separate boards, but really trying to, you know, find ways to work together and partner. And so there was a recognition that by having this contingency removed from the board of education budget, you know, that would require the board of education to come to the board of finance if there was a special education situation, emergency repair or legal situation, something else that wasn't in the budget. And that was not to be recognized as a bad thing, but instead it's we're one team working together to help the community. The town owns the buildings. the town's responsible the buildings that the board of finance will support the board of
022sele I'm not saying that we shouldn't have things in writing but just the spirit was much more toward collaboration working together and and trying to you know really you know be in better lock step as we move forward and so just from having you know sat in many many meetings over the past you know almost 18 months of the different boards the tone really was was very collaborative I wish there was a recording I'm not trying to like you know point that there not being recordings. I wish it was there recording available so folks could listen to that meeting themselves to hear about that more constructive and collaborative tone. Obviously needs to play out and to be that needs to play out over time for us to see it happen. But the tone and the
023spirit there of of working together in this way was much different than what I had seen in the past. And so just wanted to share that perspective in terms of my my you know kind of you know having sat in the meetings and and kind of hearing it and and hearing what I heard and and how folks do want to try to work together in a different way going forward. >> Thank you John. >> Do we have any other questions or comments? >> At the meeting regional 7 came in at 1.99. Is that why they ask us to come in at 1.99? It does it it doesn't seem accidental. I mean, what are the odds? >> Uh, where does the 1.99 come from if it that's not >> the the regional has been working to
024get theirs down. They were I think 212, 2110, 209, and they've been slowly working theirs down to try and get under two. And then my my understanding is that the 147 pulling we were at 343 and then 354 and then backing out this 147 got us the 199. And so obviously you know it's nice when it's below two but there was not a there at this you're at this too. It was separate past and I actually had even heard that the budget workshop it was a two 2110 with a goal getting closer to two. So there wasn't a mandate that they get to 199 uh nor to us a mandate of 199. >> The the numbers are a coincidence, Frank. It was just they were looking at the contingencies. >> And just to be clear,
025the uh the board of finance only has the ability to direct a cut from the board of education. Where that cut happens is by recommendation of our superintendent and administration and our ultimate adoption. Can I make a comment? >> Of course. >> I don't understand where this feeling comes from that people are not trusting the board of finance. I mean, all the years that I've lived here, which is almost 20, they have never refused anything that the board of education has asked for. Anytime the board of education has asked for money, they've always been willing to motion and give it to them. There the money that is within the town and their contingency fund, if you want to call it that, is also interestbearing. And there was also a discussion on this last meeting that
026there were some savings in the insurance line. I realized that the region 7 insurance line I believe is at 11%. And I don't remember what New Hartford town is at. I want to say 6% maybe. So I guess there is some savings that's going to be realized. I don't know when there they didn't indicate as to when that would happen. Just that there are some savings to be had. So, I don't I don't know if I mean, Jeff had mentioned how through his conversations with them, he was able to get us a low rate. I don't know if that will affect us or not. >> Yeah, I don't think right now, Penny, thank you. I don't think right now we've we've gotten the final determination on the health insurance. Superintendent Sus, I don't know if
027you've received anything that I'm not aware that I am unaware of. No, the most recent was regarding pension contribution that I just received that correspondence just a moment ago before the meeting. So, I'm awaiting additional monies there, but I don't know what that amount is. I'm waiting on the town. And the same with insurance, we had already um from being knocked down from an 11 down, we were already at a six >> and they um are looking at a net 8.4 four after a credit to the bills, but we're already below that. >> And then just, you know, just a point of clarity, you know, Penny, you had mentioned the the town's money is interest bearing. The non-lapsing is interest bearing as well. So, I just want to make sure that's clear. >> I didn't
028think ours was interesting. >> It is. Yeah. All of it sits on the town general side and they invest those monies as a lump sum until we request them, then they distribute. But I've checked in with that uh and it's certainly uh g garnishing interest as it should be. It's money sitting in the town accounts. >> I didn't realize where it was. >> Yeah, just the board of ed is not going to garnish interest on that. That's not our intent. We don't want that. We're not >> we're not uh garnishing that money. We can't uh exceed our appropriation. Obviously, it's within the law. >> Okay. Thank you. >> Yeah. Is there any other questions or comments? All right, seeing none. Um, I'm going to repeat Tom's motion probably a little bit differently than he said
029it, but Tom, I'll have you check me on it, but Tom's motion is to uh is a motion to approve the board of education um new Harvard public schools budget. I guess this is revised 3182026 at a value of 10,530,472 with a variance of $25,796 increase or a $1.99% increase and send to the board of finance uh for posting to town referendum. Uh, I hate to do this out of order, but can I just ask a question before we vote on this? >> Sure. >> The idea was brought up of of having a a letter or some kind of a an agreement that if we do have a an additional tuition or something like that that the board of finance would pay for it. My one of my questions is are the minutes of the
030meeting do they suff was that stated clearly in the minutes of the meeting would that suffice? There was a statement that was made about the minutes documenting what what was I I'm hesitant to say agreed to, but what was said about this this kind of collaboration or kind of working together in good faith. And so um I'm not sure if that that is what we're looking for, but it was you know that was about documenting this. It was pointed to the minutes as a source of documentation for that conversation and how the board of finance was looking to work with the board of education. The the reason I ask is before I could vote yes, I would just have to have full confidence and if the m minutes sufficed, I would be okay with that.
031Otherwise, I would wonder if we need to make that part of the motion. >> Carrie did say at that meeting, I believe it's according to state statute, I could be wrong on that part, that they cannot they cannot reneg on their word. They cannot refuse to give the board of education money for a special education student that comes along after our budget is passed. >> Correct. That's why my recommendation is to be in alignment with special education needs uh with those reductions of $147,000. >> I certainly would not go back to the board of finance and ask them for a letter promising that they will not go back on their word. they never have done it before and I don't see them starting to do it now. >> I have a question about this just
032in terms of like the practicalities of what this looks like in like the middle of the school year. um which is like if a new student comes into town partway through the school year that needs to be outplaced and we don't have the line item for it, but we have unencumbered budget like line items that are still like assigned, right? So like again, assume that we've set aside like $80,000 for something where like the it's not actually going to be drawn down to the back half of the year. So when the student comes into town that that line item is still full even though we expect it to be like spent later that year. Like is there a scenario in which the board of finance could say well we're not going to give you extra
033money because it looks like you haven't spent all of like these line items within the budget. I'm just I'm not an accounting professional in case you cannot tell by the way I'm asking this question. Um, so I'm hoping that some people who are accounting professionals can kind of like help me with this. But like generally speaking, if we are partway through the year, we have unspent funds on other line items, but we're going and asking for additional money to cover for a special ed because that line item has been filled up. Like, is there a path forward? Is there a path in which they could say no? Someone Yeah, I'm going to shut up and let somebody answer that. Kirby, thank you. Um, I guess in my opinion and just like from like the just
034the way our budget works for the fire district, um, when you want to switch when you want to pull money from a particular line item, you have to motion to approve that line item. So, I think that there are separate things to consider. It sounds like the board of finance is willing to step in if needed. I think that it sounds sincere in my opinion. Um, as Penny stated, it seemed like, you know, they've never given a reason to think otherwise. And I think that I don't foresee it wouldn't make sense to me to exhaust other items in the budget when we've specifically earmarked this as an item that is a potential, you know, a potential um item that might that we might encounter. And so it sounds like as long as that's the scenario
035that happens, then we would get that money if we need it. And it sounds like everything else is, you know, you'd go from the budget line item, but anybody feel free to correct me if they think otherwise. >> Yeah, you you're on the right page. We in we we don't do many of them. Um I would I would think because of the budgeting practices that we have here in New Hartford and our administration and superintendent managing the budget. But as you recall, there are times we do line item transfers. >> Yeah. >> We would have to be we would have to do that. The superintendent would have to bring that to the board of education to do a large line item transfer. And at that time clearly, we'd have to talk about whether there was
036truly savings, a windfall that came out of some somewhere to be able to make those funds available. >> Is that correct? >> Yes, sir. >> Thank you. >> I read the I'll read the motion one more time if everybody's okay. All right. So, we have a motion by Tom Buzzy to adopt the new Harford Public Schools 2026 20227 Board of Education budget with board of finance action dated 3182026 at a value of 10,530,472 or a dollar variance increase of 205,796 or 1.99%. That is seconded by Penny Miller. Did I say that motion correctly, Tom? >> Works for me, Tim. Thank you. >> Okay. Um, all those in favor, please signify by raising your hand. All those opposed. That motion passes 710. All right. Superintendent Seuss, uh, if we can move on to capital, please. >>
037Yes, if you could please turn to page 50 for anyone that's following online or my board members, if you have the packet in front of you. On page 50 were our capital expenditure request for the 2627 school year. The only line item that has changed by $80,000 upon my recommendation to the board of education would be the oil tank earmarking of funds. The board of finance is I would say more more inclined to bond such large project with the idea of economic scale for four different tanks to be removed from the ground. also taking into consideration some of the information to come out of the school utilization task force whether we continue with oil or we transition to propane for efficiency and savings. So there's a couple variables there and that's why they are looking
038to do this project with support and help which is really important to me as your superintendent. I am not a a facilities director but I do play that role here in town. I know other districts have a facilities manager but in this particular role we do not. that cannot manage four tanks as projects with all of the testing with DEEPS's requirements, EPA requirements and such. So, they were looking to bond the project and get uh administrative or managerial support with that at our meeting. So, that was discussed at the board of finance. That was uh then motioned again $80,000 cut from this. So, my proposal is to is twofold. With the $80,000 cut going to a bonded project, moving um $80,000 from this capital expenditure request and moving over the I'm sorry. Yeah, moving over
039the snow tractor from that $100,000 from the next year fiscal year instead of waiting a year to move that over and bump that up into the 2627 versus the uh to get that snow tractor purchased. uh a year earlier. So bringing our total to 65,575. The previous amount I believe was 145 approximately. >> Okay. Can I get a motion to approve the revised capital um the capital expenditure request for 2627? >> So moved. >> Motion by Penny. Can I get a second? >> Second by Tom Buzzy. Any discussion or questions? All right. So, in a nutshell, we removed $100,000 what we were going to put in capital to earmark for the oil tanks. That's just a small portion of what it would be for all the oil tanks as we talked about for many years
040and move the tractor that was in the 2728 school year. Move it forward one year 26 27 as that tractor is 20 how many? 20 >> 22 years old and is in need of replacement. Any questions or comments? >> Are we getting this from Golf Equipment? >> We're going to them for a good price. >> I can't say yet. I will shop as I always do. >> Okay. I know that always helped us out before. >> Yeah, I know that's one of the vendors that we will absolutely look into. >> Okay. Thank you. >> Of course. Okay. We have a motion by Penny uh to approve the capital expenditure request for 2627 in the amount of $65,575. Seconded by Tom Buzzing. All those in favor, please signify by raising your hand. That is unanimous. All
041right. Next item on our agenda is public comments for agenda items only. >> Can Ibody >> Sorry. Sorry, Chairman Kleps. Can I just um add on two other quick things for not for notification purposes and updates? >> Absolutely. >> All right. Thank you, sir. Sorry to interrupt. um for the 2627 uh board of education budget with the actions taking place. Uh I also have to make sure that everyone is understanding that the five-year capital plan will now have changes as well. So please pay attention to the most updated documents that um are attached to our budget. So people viewing online and people that are here that will now have changes to the five-year capital plan um because that is looking like a bonded project instead. So just for notification purposes. The other piece of information
042that has impact on the 2627 school year is that King and King has completed their audit uh for the 2425 school year. And I'm going to recommend that the board of education motion and deposit the remaining $2,863 into non-lapsing. So, we were under budget by $2,863 that will be deposited into non-lapsing based on motion and discussion from the board of education. And I promise that's everything, Tim, before public comment. >> Do can I guess one question on that? Can we do that tonight? It's a special meeting and non-lapsing is not on the agenda. Okay, >> then don't. We'll do it in um we'll do it at our next board meeting. Okay, >> no problem. Okay. Thank you, Jeff. Yes, if we could do that at the next meeting, we'll put that on the agenda and
043we'll do it then because this is a special meeting. >> Okay. So, we'll make sure that we put that on with a specific line item regarding non-lapsing account, >> please. >> Yep. Done. >> Okay. So, moving on to public comment for Frank, you have a question? You're on mute. Hey, Frank, you're on mute. Uh, the next meeting is May 5th. Correct. >> That's what I have. Correct. Yes. Because April 7th we've canled because that's the town meeting and May 5th is the next regular board of education meeting. >> I think May 5th is the referendum. Is that a problem? >> It is. We've had it in the past on the same day. It has not been. >> Okay. >> Obviously because people can vote all day long. Um, but we are currently scheduled for May
0445th. All right, we are going to move on to item D, public comment for agenda items only. So I am looking at the screen. Anybody in the um audience who is a moderated contributor who would like to address the board, please raise your hand and we'll promote you. I am not seeing any hands raised. All right, I am going to close public comment for agenda items only and I am going to ask for a motion to adjurnn. >> Motion to adjurnn at 6:40. >> Second. >> Motion by Penny, second by Kirby. Kirby. >> Y. >> All those in favor? That is unanimous. Thank you all. Have a great night. >> Bye everyone. Thank you.