001Good evening everyone. This is uh the finance committee meeting for the month month of March. Present we have Mr. Zikner, Mr. Mrs. Dain, Mrs. Allen, Dr. Layman, Dr. Peek, and myself, Carmen Alvarez. We have a big agenda today. So, we're going to start with the first item, which is a monthly review of attorney fees. Does anybody have any questions or comments on the bill on the attorney fees for this month? >> No. Okay. The next item is our monthly review of the bill list. Any questions or comments? >> Nope. Everything looks good. Okay. All right, Laura. Moving along to our budget calendar. I know you've been very busy the past two, three weeks. So, so all right. So, as mentioned at our last finance committee meeting, >> I ask you to speak up again, please.
002From sitting back here, it's they may pick it up there, but I'll just >> Okay, I'll sit there. >> You want me to? >> Yeah, sure. Go >> ahead. Thank you. She's allowed to sit down. >> Yeah. >> Okay. >> Yes. >> Okay. So, as we mentioned at our last finance committee meeting and board meeting, our budget calendar was going to be revised in order to align with the release of the state aid and the subsequent change in the county deadline to receive the tenative budget. So accordingly the budget presentation was revised from March 16th to March 25th and um the revision was posted on our website and the online newspaper. So that is the only change to our public meeting schedule um which we will I will reprove that at our next board meeting
003for that that one date. So that is the budget character. >> Okay. >> Yes. Moving all along to uh state aid. I know we got our state aid numbers >> and I know they were less than last year's. However, there is a explanation for that. So, we're going to hear that tonight as to why that number went down. >> Yeah. Okay. So, our state aid award for the 2627 is as follows. Transportation aid is 3.8 million. Special ed aid 7.1 million. security aid is 985,000 for a total of 11.9 million as compared to 12.3 million last year which is a decrease of 369,000 or 3%. Um, so it's important to note that the the the DOE has increased all the major cost factors including the base cost per pupil, um, special education cost per pupil,
004the security and transportation aid per pupil, the mileage rates and everything by at least 3.58%. However, our enrollment is declining, which is the major factor in the state aid calculation. So, I want to emphasize that this is the reason for the decrease um in our state aid. If we had had the same enrollment numbers as we had last year using these new increases, we would have seen an increase of $461,000 instead of a decrease of 369,000. So, that is the reason. So transportation aid decreased by 329,000. Um and this calculation is based on actual number of transported students as reported on our um annual DTRS or DRTS um which is lower than the prior year. Special education aid decreased by $60,000. Um and similar to last year, our special ed enrollment for this calculation is
005based on the actual DOE projected special ed enrollment which shows a decline. Um in the past it was a census based um calculation where um it was based on a statewide average. So every district used the same percentage applied to their total enrollment. Um it's and it's important to note that while special education enrollment may be declining in total our the um out of district enrollment has maintained it hasn't and that is more costly. >> That's a huge cost. >> Yes. So that's been steady. Um and the security aid has actually increased by $20,000. Um so there are two components here. one is based on projected enrollment. So that we did lose $20,000 here. But the other component component is based on the projected at risk students um which has increased in our district. So
006here we have received an additional $40,000 um but the net amount for security aid then is a $20,000 increase. So, as we know, we don't receive equalization aid, and that remains true. Um, so equalization aid is based on a three-year average of district income and district property value, and our local fair share exceeds our ade adequacy budget by $71 million. So, it's a it's a pretty wide gap, right? Um, and two things I wanted to just mention is that the reduction in state aid was capped at 3%. And it had it not been, we would have seen an additional decrease of $19,000. Also, half day kindergarten enrollment is only counted as a half in the state aid enrollment calculation. So with the implementation of full day kindergarten, we would expect to see, you know, a
007slight decrease in um state aid. >> Can you explain that part again about the with the full day you would see a decrease? >> You'd see a slight increase because >> increase. Okay. >> Because when they when the DOE projects our enrollment, >> they only count our kindergarten as half. >> Okay. >> Since it's half day. So in the future if we have a full day kindergarten they would count the students as the whole amount. So we should see >> a little increase. It depends too like we would see more in the >> in the security aid really because that's really based on the enrollment but um transportation I don't know how that will swing because there will be less runs I think the midday runs being >> the midday run. So, >> so there
008might be >> Yeah, the kindergarten they get delivered and uh picked up and dropped off basically twice, AM and PM. So, now we're going to have one pickup, one drop off, >> right? >> So, there would be less. >> So, we have the same amount of students but less runs. Yeah. Because we don't have those midday runs. So, mathematically how that calculates in the state projections pretty interesting because we have full full value students, right? here for the full day, but we have less runs bringing them back and forth. >> Right. Right. So, like for transfer for security aid, if we had had the kindergarten, if it had been full day, it would have been just for that particular state aid an extra $14,000. So, that is really um that's the explanation for state aid.
009Um, you know why we got to decrease this year? >> Okay. Does anyone have questions or comments? >> Uh, I have just for the public's knowledge, >> do we need to make any cuts to any programs or staff in lie of this decrease at all? Just so that the public is aware, >> we um have managed to to um work everything into the without any maintain everything without any program cuts or or staff cuts. >> That's excellent news. >> Y it's great to hear. >> Yeah. >> Okay. Thank you. If anyone No questions on the state aid. All right. So, we're going to move on to the school regionalization efficiency program grant. Um I don't know you said you had gone to a workshop. Did you want to speak a little bit on that? >>
010Everybody has a copy of the um module from Kennedy Green LLC. Gentlemen spoke at our um workshops two Saturdays ago and actually there is one sheet. It was pretty lengthy and a lot a lot a lot of informations. Um, so it's right in here. There's the fact sheet. There was one sheet that he actually summarized everything that he spoke about, which was quite long. It's the last page, the overview that'll give you um more information about it. There is a grant for it, the S, let's see, SR grant opportunity that's available and I think it's due April 15th. So that's something we have to work on. And with regards to regional innovation, you can apply for that grant. They do all the work for free. I'm correct on that. That work is all done for
011nothing, I was told. And when you regionalize with say you pick up another district, that district can say yes or no. Nobody has to agree to anything. This is just preliminary looking into uh researching and giving you the result of what would happen if you regionalize with we have um miss Dr. pet with Jamesburg, we have Cranberry. I mean, we have few districts around. If we regionalize with them, what would be uh the difference? A lot. Now, I had the question that day of you regionalized with two or three other districts, you have three superintendent. And what the gentleman mentioned was you would knock down one two superintendent into a principal position. I said, well, what happens to their salaries? Well, of course, the salaries have to stay the same. But then board members, all
012right, we have a a 10 member board. You read your lives with two other boards and you and they want to be represented on a board. Well, you'd have to come to some conclusion which would probably be within this research that you can get say we do visualized I'm just for instance James and Cranberry and you have three three and three. Well, that's what you'd have to run would be 3 three and three. But that's for for them to decide to tell you what would be best for your district. So, we'd have to apply for this and maybe see what comes out of it. I mean, there's nothing written in stone. It's just them giving us an idea. I did sit at the table. It it was a very informative um day uh with a
013superintendent from a district up in Bergen County and she was the superintendent for 281 children, but she was a board member in the district next door. and she was telling us that regionalization, I don't know if I should say it or not, but she told us regionalization only benefits the state at a big level. It benefits the district maybe 2% of, you know, any kind of income coming in and she was really knowledgeable. I actually took her card and I gave it to my son and I have it at home. But she really knew her stuff and um it was good to um interact with I think the Skyway was there, a couple other districts. This gentleman was very knowledgeable about everything he and his company. So I mean this to me is a good
014start. I think we have to do it if we want to do that because our governor wants to uh do it and you know and I know that one with the 281 children the superintendent in Bergen I'm sure her district is going to be part of it because that's a really low number of kids. >> Yeah, we have a question. >> We have a grant writer. >> We should have her >> Well, they can do it. They do it for you. >> Let's we got to go over the steps first, right? >> Don't they do it for you? how they April. >> Well, first first we have Jamesburg has to agree >> to be a part of the study. >> You have to agree to be part of the study. They do it for you
015>> and then they have to pass a resolution. Their board has to pass the grant if we only have folks like four weeks away. >> That's the deadline. We would have to move this forward to the March board meeting. >> Yes. >> For approval. Yeah. Um, so yes, just to piggy back on what you were saying, Governor Cheryl, is very much about regionalization, not just school districts, but also municipalities. And you know, ultimately the goal is to stabilize property taxes. Um, the thought is you reduce some of those topheavy cost and then kind of stabilize the property taxes. A lot of other states had regional school districts. I think we're unique in New Jersey that we have one school district per town. I think we have over 600 600 >> school districts um now. So,
016in order if this is something we want to move forward to as a committee, move it to the um board meeting, you know, we would have to pass a resolution, vote on the resolution. Jamesburg would do the same and then we can apply for the grant by the deadline, right? Does that give enough time for our grant writer for >> to do the work necessary? >> And they also mentioned shared services >> would be a big impact on us. Transportation costs. I mean there's a lot of good things that would come out of it. But I it all depends on the district that you want to go with if they if they're up to it and want to I don't you know I don't know if you guys have discussed this in Jamesburg or not.
017But uh >> I would say overall it's something we're aware of. we did have a presentation so we know how the process sort of works. Um, >> and I think it was included in here. It's not just the board saying yes, you still have to go out to a vote to your community and >> it >> the community would be in agreement, >> right? And they had mentioned that >> but that's after the study, correct? So this is just what we're doing is just to see let's let's do the study, >> right? >> That's what we're discussing today. see if it's feasible and you know the next steps would be a vote to the community >> and they did mention also the community uh they said a lot of people don't want to get away
018from their community so that would be another setback when you regionalize that you know well this is our community we don't want to give up so I mean that's all part of this the shared services the transportation cost the community belonging that's my church my schools and things like that so that all came out uh at this conference and it is really informational. So, and this company, this gentleman was very good, then you can call them at all any time. So, >> my my my thoughts are that if we take the initiative on this and kind of set our own parameters, it's better than maybe the state coming saying, well, no, you're going to do you're going to emerge with this, this, this, and this. At least if we do this, you know, proactively and
019have some type of plan in place, we have a little bit more control. >> Yeah. Yeah. So on our end we we uh we could certainly prepare from the mono perspective prepare for this uh and Dr. Beck and I were just speaking earlier and I think this is on their agendas to talk about at their committees. >> Okay. Um, and if it's again, this takes two, >> right, >> two willing parties to participate in. Um, so if it's something that Jamesburg is interested in, we can certainly move forward with it from the Monroe perspective. But if Jamesburg wants to think about it or they're not ready to make a decision, then it's something that, you know, we wouldn't be able to move forward with because >> this requires two consenting boards to enter the exploration
020is basically what it is. >> What about with cranberry or what? Oh, we thought right now since we already have a our kids moving to our high school, >> I just I just we just thought the thought process was since we already have the Jamesburg population doesn't want to do it. >> You can always explore and ask Cranberry. I mean, they they send their kids to Princeton now. >> Maybe they would like to send them a little bit more closer. I don't know. It's something you'd have to we have to speak to them before the deadline >> to do the study too. You need two schools to agree, but you can explore other schools >> that don't necessarily have to agree, but you do have to have two ruling parties, >> right? Yeah. Yes. >>
021When are your meetings? Next week. >> Um >> I we had one before this. Okay. >> I don't know the other. They're not they don't stay >> like same date kind of without looking. I do not know. But our board meeting is the day after. So 25th 26th >> the 26th. >> Okay. So we probably have an update at the board meeting then. >> Well her board meeting the day after ours >> but you you would have had your committee meeting right >> but I can't speak for the about you know what I mean. >> Yeah. Yeah. >> It's not me. It's the whole >> So I can I can stay in touch with Dr. Valani. >> Okay. Um, and if if it's something that the Jamesburg community is interested in partnering with us, um,
022I'll make sure it remains on the agenda. >> Um, or put it this way, I will have it placed on the agenda. We typically do the update on Tuesday. I'll have it placed on the agenda on Tuesday. Um, I say we don't put it on the agenda yet because let's not presume that there's an interest until they have a commitment to it. Um, and that's assuming again I'll reach out. Um, if they're already if they already had conversations and they're on board with it and I know that before Friday then or it's really tomorrow because we're off on Friday, I'll put on the agenda, but if we don't have confirmation, I'll hold off as long as I can because I don't want to put it on there and then have to pull it off. Um,
023and you know, put an offer position. >> No, Dr. K, didn't you mention that this was brought up at one of your meetings last year? >> We had the presentation. We also are from here um let's say was the person okay >> but it was I think two years ago >> and we have different board members now and >> it's not something that we've had like full board discussions to know what way people would be >> so would we have to ask cranberry or another couple districts around or because Dr. is just saying I think I you're she's right. You have to have two committed >> in order to get 302 committed. >> Two committed because you have time. It's this time sensitive >> to ask another to add to Cranberry. You >> I can
024certainly reach out. >> I would say reach out to the super in Cranberry. >> They're the only other KA A school I think besides Jamesburg. I mean Miltown goes to spot. >> That's what I mean. So that's not exactly >> now. That's a little far >> within our our parameters. >> Who mentioned Helmet the other day? >> Oh yeah. >> Yeah. >> I'll reach out to Cranberry and see where they are. If they've had conversations again some boards have had their meetings already for the month. Um so needing a resolution probably is really going to be the >> the issue I think. Um there are many board meetings next week. So, not to presume that, you know, they haven't happened yet, but I'll certainly I'll reach out to Cranberry just to see if it's even
025a conversation that they've had. Um, again, they may not have even thought about it, right? >> And probably would say, you know, we're not even ready to consider yet. Give, you know, give us another year and when this comes up again next year or something. So, >> yeah. >> Any other questions? No. And the last item on the agenda is the advertisement of public notices. Yes. >> Yeah. So, the new law regarding the advertisement, um we're just going to review some of those things. Um, so as of March 1st, um, all public entities such as municipalities, school boards, and county governments will no longer be required to publish meeting notices in print newspapers. Instead, we must post these notices on our own official website at least 48 hours before the meeting takes place in a
026conspicuous location on the site, replacing the old requirement to post notices on a physical bulletin board. Um and these online postings will serve as the official public notice and must still include the date, time, location and agenda if available. Um public notices must be archived for one year. So once the meeting has been the notice has been posted online, it must remain visible on our website for at least one week and after that we we must move it into an online archive and must maintain it in the archive for at least one year. Um also to help residents easily find public meeting information across New Jersey, the Secretary of State has created a centralized website. Um and this site is acts as a directory which links to each public entity's legal notices page. Um so
027and we must provide clickable links to the web pages maintained or they would provide um clickable links to the web pages maintained by towns, counties, school boards and other public bodies rather than hosting the notices directly. Um, also to help the public adjust to these changes, the law adds a temporary requirement for the 2026 calendar year where we must advertise twice per month in an online news publication that legal notices can now be found on the public entities website. The advertisement should also should include a link to the website. Um and this ensures continued public awareness especially for those who may not regularly visit the public and to this website. So that is um what the renew requirements are. We have been in compliance and have followed follow these and will continue to do so.
028And we're still going to send the the emails that come out from the district. Yes, correct. Those are still in. Yeah. >> Okay. Any questions on that? >> Nope. >> No. >> All right. So, that concludes our finance committee meeting for the month of March. Thank you for your time. >> Thank you. Thank you.