001I call this meeting to order for the parasite park board of education work session regular session meeting on Wednesday March 18, 2026 the meeting starts 37 p.m. at the orchard center 271st Street Pettis Park, New Jersey. Everyone, please raise for the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for it stands. One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. present. >> Oh, yes. >> Here, >> Mr. Sergio. >> Mr. Ray Park, >> present. >> Mr. Justin, >> present. >> Mr. Gandre, >> yes. >> And Tyler In accordance with the open public meeting act, I hereby state that of this regular meeting has been provided to the public by a written notice dated January 15, 2026. The meeting notice has been emailed to all state members at the district school
002locations communicated to the record filed with the board club of Paris Park posted on the district website and um we start this meeting by recognizing the athlete of the week Mr. B. >> Thank you. call up our our athletic director. >> Uh so it's my distinct uh pleasure and honor to uh to recognize tonight uh Chris Kasparian. He received athlete of the week uh which is a honor that is uh voted on by the uh by the sports writers. Uh and it's not a it's not an award that's um just given to anyone. It's it's not just a basketball award which he did receive for basketball. It's won across all sports in the particular season that it's given in. We this year this is our second athlete of the week which is a rare thing
003uh to have and um you know it's Chris has is not only a great kid watching on and off the court uh in and out of the classroom the hallways upstanding young man. Um he scored not only he's scored a thousand points this year, but he also broke the school boys school record for points. Uh which is a great accomplishment that's been held since in the since 1973 or two. >> Uh 75 75. Thank you. >> That deserves a round of applause. >> Uh uh Chris will be our 15th athlete of the week in school history. Uh and so it's uh like I said in the school's you know in the school's history and um his his uh face and will forever be uh uh memorialized in the in the hallways of Palis Park High
004School and uh at the first thing people walk into the school and they always look at the athlete of the week wall and uh they'll they'll see Chris's face there forever and I couldn't be and I I couldn't be prouder for him and his family who supported him going to every game, watching them, talking with them every every game. Uh so it's it's a it's I'm I'm elated uh because as an athletic director, these are the kinds of things that you want to see your athletes recognized. And you know, everyone everyone uh that I talk to, athletic directors, coaches, uh every time they see me, they go, "Man, that tall kid on your basketball team, he's really good." Okay. Yeah. I'm like, "He's a better kid, too." So, um, uh, I'd like to call up,
005uh, this, um, coach pavement up to, say a few words. Uh, Chris, >> good evening everyone. Um, just echo a few things that Mr. E mentioned. Um, Chris, you know, obviously he's a great player, but just like Mr. E said, he's even a better uh, person. His parents did a great job um, raising him. So, thank you for that. And um you know, as a coach, when your best player is also one of the best kids, you know, on the team, it kind of sets the standard for everybody else. And uh it made my job a lot easier. Um also, you know, we're in the process of uh helping Chris out to play at the collegiate level, so hopefully there'll be an announcement pretty soon. Yeah. Yeah. take a picture of you guys in the
006hallway. >> Thank you. >> Congratulations, Chris Perion. Nice to meet you. >> Good evening. And um the board have to go close the session. May I have a motion to go on the close session to discuss customer matters? >> All in favor session. So we'll be back hopefully in 20 minutes hopefully. So to discuss about personal matters and really matters about this and we'll be back. >> We have a motion to bring our cross session and to bring our meeting to the public. I second it. All >> in favor? So first item to discuss is approval of both minutes to go to minutes. February 25th 2026 regular business to meeting minutes. If any board member have any correction request on the minutes please discuss. Now let's move on to the breathing and ground. We have
007five items for approval. Number one, ask a school Presbyterian church of New Year. Two, borrow Easter egg hunt and breakfast. Number three, NJ Korean American basketball. Four, SJ enrichment summer program. And number five, shing event for the safe park recycling environment. Any questions? >> SJ I'm happy to take that. Um, this is a nonprofit uh educational and and athletic organization. >> And um they approached us uh many years ago. They they had a summer program at Notre Dame Academy. And they're in various school districts throughout Bourbon County. It's a husband and wife team who run run the program. The husband, I believe, was a pro soccer player. His wife um also an educator and it's a combination. It it is um run for for tuition um but it's nonprofit and they offer a combination academics,
008athletics for children in the summer. So they did approach us to um rent uh the lower level of Lindberg. Uh I toured with with the um director of of the program. Our principal also toured with the director of the program. We spoke to our facilities department. We're going to give them some well the recommendation is to give them some classroom space on the lower level and use of the field to learn soccer skills in the summer. And um there is uh an offer to potentially make a donation to our PTA. So if it's approved, I would also reach out to our PTA and discuss, you know, some potential donation that they made an offer. >> Carl, what are we doing with that fee of 25,000 again? >> Well, number one, >> I will turn it
009over to when when we do receive this fee of 25,000 >> collected. What what fund video would that be placed in uh for facilities use? It's in our operating fund as part of your u line item for rentals. >> Got just so that goes up by 25,000. >> Well, you budgeted an amount based on where you are compared to your budget. 25,000 goes into revenue. >> So why are we charging for the Presbyterian church which is also a nonprofit? Correct. >> Correct. >> And then we're not charging others or >> we are charging. Why is the be um like less than half SJ >> a couple of reasons um they rent the space is about half so the number of classrooms so um and it's also their first year and they're really not certain how
010how strong their enrollment would be so um it's something that I think we should take a look at if they're successful and they you know first year out have 100 plus students then I think there's room to increase it next summer if if we think they're good tenants and we'd like them back. So, it's it's it's reasonable, I think, to allow them to launch the program. They're hopeful that, you know, they'll have maybe 70 to 100 students. Uh maybe more. Um and again, half the space is how we estimated this. >> Other questions? Next, education. Mr. >> So, we have nine field trips for approval. Um, field trips. Do you resolve that the house's park board of education upon the recommendation of the superintendent approves the following field trips? First is to uh the AMC
011movie theater and park. The second is to park. Then to Clover Stadium and New Yorker baseball game and then to shop right Park and another theater and then to Trump school and New Jersey science center museum any discussions questions Next finance meeting. >> Yep. Um there are 17 consent items. 17 different finance. The first is member visitation workshop. Approval for professional visit visitation workshops. Number two is approval of the March bill list. Upon the recommendation approve the bidness of 1.32 303.32 number three approval of February payroll um upon the recommendation to approve the following payroll amount for February 921 7545 February 27 1.749 662.24 Number four, student activities accounts. Um, we super accept the financial reports to the high school and the Lindberg school activity account for the month ending February 28th and provided authorization
012of payment of bills pay bills to April 3rd, 2026 and presented to the policy board a card for education. Number six, South Burden Joint Chair Commission agreement. Um, agreement with the South Bergen joint commission group coordinated transportation service agency for transport students for chapter 53 PL for 26 and 27 school year. Uh number seven is submission and acceptance of the high impact tutoring grant. Um submitt submitt and acceptance awarded of the high impact tutoring competitive cohort three grant. The maximum award for the district is 80,000 grant will be used to support summer learning academy for the lab. Number eight approval of agreement with learn well and It's approve the agreement with learn well to provide educational service for hospitalized students at the rate of 59.85. Uh nine is approval of agreement with valley health system
013approves alcohol and drug testing service agreement with valley health systems. Number 10, secretar's financial reports. Um se secretaries un audited 15216 financial report reflecting the Financial activities January 2026. Number 11, ratification of board secretaries monthly certification budgetary line item status January 2026. Number 12 is transfers January 2026. 13 treasurers report July 2025. 14 treasures report August 2025. Number 15 out of district contracts approve the C contracts of 2425 school year. Um number 16 emergency roof repair significant roof leak has occurred in ECC due to ice melts affecting original lane condition of the roof creating emergency situation. Superintendent has determined immediate repairs are necessary. We're approving that I'm sorry. So, uh, that if you notice, we don't have the exact dollar amounts yet. >> We were hopeful to receive them today. The video was working with
014contract, the architects. So, um, part of this building has been closed as, as the board, I'm sure, knows. Uh, we have a roof that's at at end of life. However, we would like to um take this off the agenda, wait for the actual numbers, which we believe may be in in the 200,000 range, and when we have the exact amount of of the project, bring this back. So, either on our next meeting, March 25th, or if not, the following meeting. So uh if we could withdraw this one resolution until we have exact number keepers >> and oh and 17 is related to that because 17 the money is from our capital reserve fund. So both of them would appear later once we have exact. So then we have only 15 consent agendas and we will
015push the roof repair and the transfer from capital and and if I close to the board so that board members understand item number five uh our accounts payable assistant business administrator has resigned and basically asking for approval for her to prepare all of the bills that she has ready through April 3rd so that I we're up to date upon her leaving since currently we don't have a replacement. So it's a little different. is just asking for authorization so we can catch up to make sure upon her departure we have all >> I generally do not prepay bills without board authorization I'm putting this on so that the board is understanding they're going to issue bills to be paid come back. >> How long was she? >> About a year and a half. So inv are
016we not going to wait on this because the amounts are >> 16 and 17. Yeah, we'll revisit a later time. If not personnel, I have seven agenda today and number one appointment of staff. Number two, home instruction teachers. Number three, approval of termination. Number four, request for leave. Number five, approval of additional teaching assignments for teachers. Number six, appointment of middle school baseball coach. Number seven, approval of superintendent of sports. Thank you, Mr. Discussion, question. superintendent contract. Was it discussed to do three years instead of five? >> Was it a discussion at all? >> Um that was a the path of practice in town too and we just searched other town nearby and New Jersey. That's the most common length that we go or either three Q5 but most 35 and we I think as
017a uh presence work closely with Mr. caro for past few uh eight months. I think we are lucky to have him what he does how much he was pilotized to. So we are pretty confident to go for the further five years. At that time last year when we went on when the board was on the superintendent superintendent search we posted both position intering superintendants and permanent superintendent and some of candidate applied to both and Mr. is one of those two. And so instead of hiring a prominent superintendent, we wanted to go we want to start with interning to see whether he is the best fit to our school district. And based of my discussion with all of board members, we've been very confident to work with him and we believe that he is the right
018person to lead our school district. >> You can't say full months when you haven't really discussed it before today with me at least. Um >> well we this last two months and you weren't very happy about at the time >> I don't know what's your change in this four months four months I was not happy about anything um >> so discussed >> we discussed in close session >> are you denying >> no I'm okay it's okay I I respect you but just it's just different from what I just I don't think I was happy exactly. Um, okay. So, but it wasn't discussed to do a three-year term instead because I while I respect and I do have I do feel good with Carl, I do think that less than a year is not sufficient to
019fully determine to to go up to a fiveyear contract. Okay, understood. Any other discussion? Question. Okay, next we have one agenda in new business. It's ongoing. Um we just initiate the discussion about our office in second street because I just want to transpire what we doing um because we we have to decide what we are going to do with our existing photo office. So I will briefly just introduce you and then can explain more details too. So as you know the second street the board office was former previously used the ambulance court and we have both have used it for almost a free and the owner of the land and the building is own of side park and now because of their finest um constraint but whatever reasons that we are asked to pay the
020rent And we will have to discuss and we we actually started discussion. So I want to let you know that we we have a few options while we are move forward and not just renting now we could move out or any other options that we were discussing. >> Yeah, I I think um I we appreciate the conversation with the burrow. uh Sue and I met with them and it was actually we had two meetings and um we understand you know most municipalities are facing financial challenges but one of the biggest drivers and we'll talk about it shortly is is health care cost you know for public employees it's gone up over 30% so it's affecting the burough it's affecting the schools so um we do appreciate that you know potentially at some point they may
021need to sell that property Uh we also appreciate that we've been able to use it for many years and and it's worked. The building itself, you know, if they did, the mayor did say to me if um you know, if we were interested in purchasing it, um it is something that, you know, we could engage in discussions about. Um, we haven't done a full evaluation of the the building itself, but I can tell you, you know, working there every day, I do think there are some pretty significant needs. Um, there are roofing there are roofing needs. However, the burrow is telling us that they have a grant, so they may address the roof this summer. Um, but there are other needs. you know, it is an old structure and um I think if if at
022any point in time we thought about purchasing, my recommendation would be to do a thorough evaluation of the property, the structure, even soil samples and just you know know what you would be getting into. Um so that's that is one possibility. Um rental is another um that you know may be costly. I haven't done that much research. I've looked around at some commercial real estate. There seems to be some options. Uh but but I also want to be clear they're not at first they thought we may need to vacate by the summer. Our in our most recent conversation they said we have more time at least 6 or 8 months. This is a decision that doesn't have to be made immediately. Um and uh the schools you may be wondering well gee can you fit
023in the schools? We we we actually looked around and you know my we have some staff members here. Our our schools are really crowded. There just isn't extra space. Some some districts you do see administration within a school building and that's a nice situation for us to be close to the staff and the kids but we just simply don't have that space. So I I think it's a discussion that you know le we brought it up tonight but I do think we have some time to think it over and have future you know future conversation about it. >> How much say does the board have in something relocating the office and things like that? Is that something that we all make a determination on or is that >> Yeah, that would need board approval. If
024we decided to rent, you know, commercial space, office space somewhere and and you know, it is only five of us. We don't need much. We just need a modest space. My estimate maybe, you know, 16,800 square feet at most, maybe even less if it was configured properly. >> I mean, I will put in there that my office and many many offices have moved to just desk offices. which does save a lot in real estate. that there is that consideration to look for that will make it you don't need as much square footage in that matter. >> Yeah. >> Um in the regional cost that we always to discuss about therapy but um my concern is that the environments in the building as previous administration and school board all have some issue um concern about the
025board and stuff. So that parts we worry about we just care about the safety environment work environments or for our own employees and so that's one of the parts that we need to negotiate to and consider whether we move out or stay. And as per your knowledge that would have researched about the school board of education in Paris Park. So far we have some findings and updates that we will share with you when it's really available to public. for now at the public library the board of education is the owner of the public library and but I don't think we can remove it now because it started for you know occupies with public library use too so that is another consideration they were looking for other spaces any questions that motion to close work session
026and go move on to regular session. >> All in favor? I a report of the board of presidents. I actually had a lot today, but I will just move it to next month's and report of the um report of super superintendent Mr. Caro have a report. >> Sure. Sure. Just two recognitions. I'd like to start. I I think the board is aware of this, but um we did have a a a scare uh um at Lindberg several weeks back and and I just want to say thank you to the police department uh in their responsiveness. Uh they were outstanding. Um you know, Chief George Beck um immediately communicating with us uh taking the necessary steps, coordinating with other police departments. Uh it was so swift the response and and the communication from them. Um we're
027thankful that it was a a noncredible threat. Um but every threat needs to be taken seriously. And I got to say, you know, not only in this situation, but they go above and beyond. During the last storm when our staff, I mean, we worked very hard when we learned that some of the crosswalks were not completely cleared. I guess the plows maybe pushed some snow there. Our police officers were actually shoveling crosswalks at like 6:00 in the morning to make sure our parents and students could could cross safely. So, I just want to say thank you. I've worked with many many different police departments and and and agencies and and I I I couldn't ask for more um in in our our partnership. Um also, I just want to recognize um we we had this
028I what I thought was just an amazing um reading promotion program, the ReadAcross America program. Michelle Martini, I I gotta give her a shout out for her coordination of of this event and a big thank you to the community. We had um people from the burrow, the mayor did a reading, board members did readings, uh police, fire, fire department. Um I have the the privilege of reading to a second grade and it was the highlight of my week that week. Um, so Michelle, great job. And you know, I think uh reading is something, you know, we we the research is showing that as our children get older because of technology, they're reading less. >> Yes. >> So to promote that when they're young and to hopefully instill a love of reading in books is is
029really important. And and I just think this program accomplished that and and and was fantastic. Now on to a little more u I guess uh businesslike or serious topic. Um I want to thank Midio um DeAndrea our our business administrator and the entire uh Dune team leadership team. We've been really working hard on the budget development process and we have some real headwinds, some challenges and earlier I did mention this this health um cost escalation um at 32% which if if you think about you know a school district New Jersey has like many other states 2% tax cap. So when you have, you know, a a cost that, you know, all of our employees uh for the most part receive help, you know, some some opt out, but but you know, the majority have help.
030And when it goes up by 32%. And I think, you know, a family health plan can be in the vicinity of anywhere between 50 and 70,000. >> 75 now >> 75,000 >> prescription, >> you know. Um, so when you're talking about that, that in some cases could be more than someone's salary. You think about handling that that kind of increase. And of course, you know, 80 almost 80% of our budget is people, right? We're we're in the business of education and you invest in your educators. Um, and they're delivering, you know, with the kids every day. So, um, it's just a big percentage of our budget and it's and it's a real challenge that we're grappling with. There's a few other budget drivers that that at next meeting Amido and I will will give you
031some more detail, but for this evening and I'm going to turn it over to Amidio and he has some some uh numbers to review with you. Because of this very unusual high increase in health, the state is allowing us to go above the 2% tax cap and not just a little bit above, significantly above because this increase is so dramatic. So um for example, NIDA is going to review this. We can go up to 6.74%. And this is not unique to Palisades Park. Almost all school districts are in that six seven and a half% range of an allowable tax levy increase. And again, why? Because of this big health drop. So, um, I heard of a a board last night that had similar discussion in a, you know, a a district nearby that that was
032was grappling with potentially a 7 and 12% increase to manage this and and not affect the program. So, um, with that, we we are hoping no decisions have to be made this evening. we we have to give you a lot more detail about the budget, but we're looking as as we're building the budget, we are looking just for a little bit of guidance from the board and open up a discussion and feel free to ask questions, but I'd first like to ask Mr. Deandria to kind of review the numbers with you and then we can open it up for some public discussion. Um, so as Mr. Albano said, we're at the back end of preparing our budget. Um, I've been able the last few days uh to concentrate inputting the information that I've received from
033the district administrators putting it into a state database and based on that database information as um Mr. Alabama indicates we currently do qualify for a waiver of $1.2 million above the 2%. So what I presented in front of the board is the top half is a breakdown of our revenue breaking out your tax levy, state aid, extraordinary aid, and various other things. So right now as we sit this evening, if the board was agreeable to go to the full 6.74 with the information that I've received increasing salaries, projecting salaries, and other variable points with a 6.74, we are still in a deficit of $2.6 million. to balance the operating expenditure with our revenues. Now, are there still possible adjustments that we can make for revenue streams? Yes, but not to the tunes 2.6. So, as
034Mr. Albano indicated a big factor that drove a part of this is the health benefit. But another factor that the board um I need to make sure the board is aware of. It's the last line. It says fund balance on this top half of this U spreadsheet. when you and I have a separate analysis that goes back several years. You've been applying your surplus over the years to balance your budgets. Well, your fiscal cliff has hit in prior years and I'll go back to 2021. 2021 you were only you were at 462,000. As of 2526 and I'm going to remind the board several months ago you approved to transfer $836,000 out of fund balance. It really came out of fund balance although it was extraordinary aid just to supplement this year's budget to ensure that
035we didn't hit a deficit. I can tell you as of today when I looked at the board secretar's report we are at roughly around $500,000 of available funds on the appropriation side which means we did need the $836,000. I am doing my best to work with the staff to ensure that we're setting aside the funds needed to make it through the rest of the year. I feel I'm feeling much more comfortable as I'm learning the district, understanding the finances, working with the administration, uh that we're going to be we should be fine through the year, assuming that all of the information I've received is appropriate and accurate. So in that regard, so when you think that in 2021 you were only using 462 for 2526 including the $836,000, you use $2.6 million to balance your
036budget of funds. If you use that plus what we're anticipating using for next year, the 900,000 would bring us today to roughly around $580,000 of surplus on a $33 million budget. That's very dangerous. But be mindful, we're still going to generate money from this year from revenues and the like. So, we're going to bring it back up, but we're going to be hovering around the 2% mark that the state recommends that we stay at. So, with that, yes, we have a large increase in health benefits, but we also have a big drop off in the use of fund balance, but we don't have 2.80. We're down. We're down to only $900,000 at this point in time. you're losing about $1.8 million in surplus that have been supplementing your budgets over the years. So, I just
037want to make sure everyone's understanding that you've been using surplus to balance your budgets and you no longer are generating the money that you've put into your budget on a yearly basis. So we're we're at that point where we can no longer we can no longer supplement our budgets with fund balance because we don't have it. Next week you have the auditors here. Uh they are going to present it. Uh they're going to show that our fund balance um is going to be roughly 4,127,000. Be mindful of the 4 million1 we're using. the 2.6 for this year and we're using 900 for next year. So, we're dwindling down on those funds, folks. With all that said, we currently sit at 2,622 based on the information that we have. And the reason that we're here this
038evening is Mr. Albano, myself, and the administration, we have a task now. If the board is willing to accept a 6.74%, we know that we have to find 2.6 million in in reductions in the budget that we have to present. If the board is not willing to accept that, it's basically for every half percent, it's another $136,000 in cuts. So, if the board were to say no to using the cap waiver of of 1.2, we're then looking at cuts of 3.9. If they say we don't want to be at two, we want to be at 2 and a half. We then dropped to 3.76 incomes. And please be mindful of that. Majority, as Mr. Alabama says, his staff, not saying all of it, but we're going to have to hard looks at a lot of
039different areas if the board is not agreeable to 6.74. If you remove the 1.2 uh $4 million cut in the middle of $33 million budget is a substantial reduction. So, we're looking for direction so that we can spend the next week working diligently to come back to the board. If you're willing to accept 6.74, we know it's 2.6. If it's a number other than 6.74, we're asking for direction as to where your comfort level is so that we know what our true charge is. >> Wait, so what does this mean? we why would we do the 6.7 >> I don't make that's the fudiciary responsibility of this board to say yes >> that's why we're presenting it this evening of the students as well like making their taxes >> yeah absolutely >> that's why we
040that. So we this all presentation of numbers are from our uh finance professionals and school district our administrators presenting the ceremony and explain all the money that um need to be explained to us. But we board the members we communicate with the community as well that this is most challenging part that we need to consider and balance of school for district business fund and annual tax increase. What's the percentage of parents that are in hardship? >> Uh, are you talking about the the students who are subject to the free and >> financially disadvantaged group of children >> more than 60% that that's stu student families. That's not the entire city park community. our town and most of the taxpayers they don't have a respons you're making an important point just to clarify this would impact
041property owners. >> Okay. So if if indirectly if you're renting you may not feel the impact right away >> but eventually the landlord may start the property taxes go up your rent potentially could go up. But you just to be clear there's not an immediate impact to renters. the biggest impact is to property owners and you know Bo as as a as a board you know there's this balancing act of you do have a responsibility to the entire community right you're here as the video said it's a fiduciary responsibility you know you're you're approving a tax increase basically that's a big responsibility and then you also have this responsibility to provide a quality education for the children of park and and it's a difficult position to be in. Um I'll just give one other factor
042that I think is playing into it and this is getting a little ahead of where we are this evening. Next next board meeting we're going to give you some more detail but I have an inflationary chart. Right? So just to read some numbers let me go back to my my data. You know in 2021 inflation was 4.7%. Remember the pandemic went skyhigh and and we we for the most part we've been maintaining here at Pal Park a 2% tax cap. In 2022 inflation went to 8%. And we remained under the cap. Then it dropped to 4.1% 3.4% and this year inflation is running just a little over 3%. It's still running hot. And now with world events, oil prices going up, the prediction is that inflation will be sticky and and no one sees it
043going down to 2%. So that's another consideration. You know, I think when the 2% tax cap was implemented in New Jersey and New York and many other states, inflation for about 10 12 years was running very low. It was always under 2%. So the tax cap worked. But times have changed. And so a 6 point, you know, for a homeowner, uh, or maybe a homeowners that are retired and on a fixed income, a 6.74 increase, you know, is is is a lot. >> Um, however, we also have, you know, to run this school properly, um, you know, even if you went to the maximum, as as Mr. I want to emphasize this. We still would need to make some staffing reductions. So we we are in a this is a real and and I one
044other important factor is this problem is not unique to Palisades Park. I spoke to the county superintendent. Everyone is struggling with this issue and this conversation. So please don't feel it's something unique to our district or everyone in the state of New Jersey is is challenged by this and and again we even heard even the municipalities the police and fire and burrowing they're dealing with as well. >> So please questions. >> So this as you explain this high number of percentage increase might be the common in the majority and maybe nationwide. What about also spending using budget balance to close the budget gap that is it comparable to? >> Very good very good question. So you know we've increasingly relied on fund balance and I haven't I've only been here for eight months but I
045believe it was to avoid cutting program. So my my thinking is how Park wanted to preserve our athletics programs, our academic programs, our music programs, and that that's important. All those programs are, I think, essential to an equality district. Um, but every year and and we'll again we'll show you more data next time, but you've used more and more of your fund balance or for I'll put it in the video uses the technical terms, it's your savings, right? So, we've been running the district using savings, but savings eventually runs out and so, you know, we using it. By the way, it's perfectly allowable. Most districts do. So, if you anticipate you you never budget to the exact dollar, right? That that would be irresponsible. We can't overspend our budget. So, usually you have 3 or
0464% contingency built in just to be conserved. And if you don't spend it all, which is what you hope for, at the end there's a surplus which flows into fund balance. Mo, our surplus at the end of last fiscal year, we think it's about 600,000. >> No, if once we apply the 900,000 Yeah. for next year, we'll be down to six plus whatever we replenish for this year. >> Okay. So as we said as a snapshot in point in time we're at six but we will replenish fund for this year we upend but using in in my judgment 32 mill roughly $32 million budget using four five 600,000 of fund balance is reasonable because you're probably going to have in the following year you'll probably have that at least that much in surplus. But when
047you start using more like 2 million and then you know returning 68 it it just eventually runs out and that also is is at play here. So you got you got kind of like the perfect storm going and and just to that point um for 2425 you apply 2.2 2 million. Uh, from the information I received from the auditors, we only replenished 1.6 million of the 2.2 that we used. >> So, so it went down by 600,000. And again, not the the use of the 836 to supplement this year's budget is another added hick to the 128. They didn't and we were fortunate and I say we the district they did not budget for extraordinary aid. So that's how you were able to bring in those funds for next year for the 26 27th. I
048am anticipating 500,000. So that not going in at zero. We're anticipating some of those funds to make up the shortfall in the revenue. I'm not sure of the mindset of why they didn't include extraordinary aid because you have been receiving it over the years, but they haven't been including it in your budget revenue. I'm assuming with the anticipation of knowing that that money was available to replenish. It's unfortunate. Um, Mr. Albano and I inherited and what we believe was a short budget based on what what we were given when we walked in the district. >> At the same time as the surge of hair close to two, >> right? And then you got hit with the 32%. Now keep in mind for this year it's only six months. Next year the first six months is
049already set. Who knows what the following six months are going to give us? And if I remember correctly, I budgeted I believe I put in another 30% increase for the following year. >> And there's no indication that it's not. So So you're preparing and here's and I've always shared this with individuals. You start preparing a budget in November, December and you're trying to predict your expenditures out 16 months, 18 months. No one here can do that. So we'll had did did anyone anticipate last year a 32% in health benefits? No. We were told come in around 23 24 an 8% difference is a big difference. So there's no indication. So if we don't get it, then there's surplus for next year to return into your budget. But yeah, you more or less have to prepare
050in that regard. And with that, um, and if I know since we are on health benefits, um, you're there is a a process by the state where you can request your experience rating, but you cannot request it from if you request it within a two-year period, they charge you. Uh if I remember correctly, June of June of 26, uh you're able to go out and get your experience rating. >> What was that? >> And your experience rating is basically based on your premiums that you've paid and the utilization by your membership tells you how much versus what you paid versus what you used. And generally if your number if your utilization number is below 85 it's may be beneficial for the district to look outside of the state health insurance plan. Be mindful anything you
051look at must be equal to or better than the current coverage. And I emphasize the coverage because some people come back and say well the network's not the same. The network from my understanding network is not the factor. It's the coverage that's being offered. So, we will we will look to get our experience rating to determine if it's appropriate for the the district to go out and market. So, you have a lot of moving pieces at this point in time that you can explore and look into, but again, utilizing and right now more than 900,000 million dollars in surplus, I think you're pushing the envelope at that point because you're really tapping into your fund balance. Um, so we're here more or less to know is the board agreeable to 6.74 so that up we
052with the administration can look at what is going to have the least amount of impact to balance the budget by $2.3 million. I want to know, have you ever been in this situation where you had to increase in your experience? >> I I've never seen a 32% health increase. I've seen 9 10 13 and those were challenging years. This is the highest I've ever seen health go up. So, so did this and and again I I I don't have a complete history but uh the video you're doing you're doing this a long time. Do you ever recall a 32% >> not 32%? >> No. No. This is >> maybe unprecedented quite frankly but we could try to go back and and find that data for you but it's highly unusual. I I'm more concerned about
053reaction especially you know you know I guess is that what it comes from >> property owners >> does that mean that taxes directly get real estate taxes will get increased by that specific amount or >> no that's where it gets that's where I need a video sub >> and you have to be and again it gets very complicated the way you you strike your taxes is you you're in 2026. Half of last year's budget is being raised now and half of whatever we adopt will be raised in the second half and postpone. So it's a deferral. It's a little bit complicated to try and explain. So you're raising half of one year, half of another year. So will it go up by 6.74? No, because you're still balancing last year's taxes with this new increase.
054>> And the goal would be could impact >> the ratables >> gradables change. If you have new assessments that come on, >> so it won't be fully realized until next year. Is that what you're saying? >> Yes. And then whatever next year's impact may be, it would drive it even further or less. you know, and and all we all get tax bills and sometimes the first tax bill um you'll get an adjustment for the prior year assessments. So, they balance it that way. So, it's it's a revolving door, but our goal is is that by the presentation of the final budget, I I would hopeful be hopeful to work with the tax collector so that we can talk about the tax impact following We're not quite there yet because it just doesn't make sense to
055calculate that at this point. >> I mean, I would predict a very large outcry or something like happen to do this. So, you've been in that situation at all in in the past at all like any >> Yes. I I New York has very similar model. There's 2% tax cap there. there are exclusions they're called where when you have something like this they allow you to go above it. Um and then you can do an override and even go above that but you need a a 60% supermajority vote and do a public vote. So um I was in a district that was in financial difficulty and and um we did a 6.6 six. So very close to your allowable and um we made the case why it was it was needed and there there were
056certainly we heard from many community members you know you you you know yes for some particularly the group I think that was the biggest concern and the most difficult part were retirees on fixed income right and and that in their home for 30 40 50 years wanted to stay in their home and these types of increases were really challenging for them. But your other cont you know your parents and and you know other you know other aspects of the community voiced their opinion and said look we don't want to you know gut our school district basically we want to have music and sports and and quality education and we don't want 40 children in the class. we want to maintain, you know, 23 children average in the class. So that conversation did play out that
057in New York it's a public vote here in some ways a little more difficult. All the board members have to make this very difficult decision. It's not an easy decision. So, you know, you're weighing, you know, the burden to to the homeowners and the property owners versus trying to preserve this school district. You know, personally, as your lead educator, you know, I would and I'll speak for a video, but we would like to see you go to 6.74. We need the money and we can demonstrate that next next week we will give you all the data that you need and reasons why but we also are respectful of you know this board um you know is also responsible you know not just to the students but the broader community. So it it's not an easy
058decision. And by the way just just to emphasize you don't need to make the final decision tonight. What what we're we're hoping to do is as we go to build Mino and I have a lot of work to do with the admittance team over the next, you know, week. So if you think you potentially would go to the max, we can build out a budget around that and present it to you next week. But if that's a non-starter, if there's like a red line where you wouldn't go above 5% or wouldn't go above 4%. Then we would build a budget around that number. But whatever you decide this evening, whatever guidance you give us, the final approval of the budget is >> April what? >> Yeah. The date >> I don't think I paid 27th
059or something like that. It has to be after April 20th. >> Yeah, I think the the 22nd 24th. >> Don't quote me on that. I'm pretty sure. So, you still have a solid month before you have to make a final decision. But again, we have so much work to do and and this is not this is a challenging budget. This is making some difficult decisions. >> But we have to uh finalize the tentative budget right next to it and the number. >> Yes. How much did we pay you last year? >> 2.2.2. >> So then maybe for purposes of like for us to know as a homeowner, let's say we have a 1.4 million house, the 4%, 5%, the 6%. How does that break that >> that I wouldn't know until we know the budget
060and then I would come to the tax collector have them? I'm always cautious on calculating taxes because that's not what I do. Again, ratables, assessed values change every year. So the goal is is that once we strike the candidate, we'll work with the tax collector to say what is the impact on the average household and then we can get you that number after we know where we are. So you know, it's it's challenging, but I I do want to make one comment. Um, for anyone that is a senior citizen, there is a um, forget the form, but they can file a form for to freeze their taxes and they get the money back. I know I filed for I file for my mother every year >> and you just file the form, you get your
061money back, but every increase there's income levels and all, but they they can file for that. And hopefully the members of this community are aware of that also. >> Yeah. They said there too. >> Yeah. >> But we're again, Mr. Albano and I are looking for guidance so that next week we're not sitting here saying we can't accept that because I can I cannot change a budget that evening and tell you that that's the number that we can look at. >> So usually 1% more than 2% like even if it's 3% or total still we get a lot of impact from response from community too. But um you know you have to really think about all the process that we've gone through through negotiations the past two years and we have to we were in
062a position to think about the raising um cost of teachers salary and program this benefit just goes up too. Meanwhile, the community is asking how much the tax will be impact by this increase and you always in that position and um for now like is election season for the primary election and then it's November it's going to be another issue too but community is asking if anyone is running how the number one question to the any member run on the election was always tense in my experience. And now I don't know it's I see by the mayor and then he's posting that he's actually asking board members to raise the salary procedures. So it's interpreted like to me like oh he's asking us to raise more tax for that. So that's a lot of question
063that you have to think and discuss and consider to many community members in their each role. They have their own different opinion and um input to your decision too. So we have like one week that we want to hear from the board. >> So it's difficult decision. So I I think we don't have much time left. So can you give any of this question as much as you could? And by the way, I know this is a very heavy subject, but I'm glad that we discuss here in public meeting. I don't think we would pre um so I love this kind of transparency too. Thank you for Mr. Medio and Mr. B to bring this discussion to open to public. I feel like it is hard to for me to make a decision right now
064or think about it without understanding how much it is impact each household household and you said that right now tax collector but yeah I feel like >> break down >> how would we be able you get any approvals in >> I I can't I don't know I don't even know your tax collector so I >> I wonder if if the 3.2 did we have that we should have had that data last year we raised 3.2 >> and how much did >> I find anything in the presentation that showed I didn't >> we can try to >> we can but again tonight please understand tonight is not trying to say what the rate is going to be. It's more or less can is there a limit as to where you're willing to go? If it's not
0656.74, is it five? Is it four? Because we can't we're struggling to prepare a budget to present knowing that if we go without a waiver, we're cutting $4 million out of this budget without the w. And that's why I broke it out into increments of half percent. We understand fully that 6.74 is a high number, but keep in mind we can strike our tenative budget and then by the adoption you can make changes. You know, once we're able to get to you, show you where the cuts are and all, you may say we have no choice. But it's hard to compare for me for Carl and I brand new to this district. It's hard to give you different scenarios to say, well, this is the damage at 6.7. This is the damage at two. You
066know, we're still trying to bring everything together in that regard. You know, we we've been talking about special education. We've been talking about health. We talked about salaries. You know, as we said, you settled in three 3.3 if I remember correctly, >> 3.2. So that's above the 2%. So you're making that difference up. And again, I don't mean to hop on it, but the use of fund balance is really the other impact that has hurt you, but you're not alone with the help. That's that's a big impact. 32% on health benefits. A family plan that's covered. Anyone that has a family plan now goes up to $75,000 last. >> I think another way to to look at this is state of New Jersey is allowing this how Park School District to go to 6.74 because
067they recognize it's needed. Okay. So, however, this board will decide that final number. And again, just, you know, I I don't mean to be repetitive, but tonight, if if there is a number that you could feel comfortable with, if it's four or five, that we would work with that number and build a budget for you and bring it back to you next week. So I I don't I I know and if and I think it's okay if you are not prepared if you need a little more time to process this and certainly you can reach out and ask questions. Um, we if if any one board member had a follow-up question, we would respond to the entire board. So, all nine board members have the same information, right? So, I think it's either, you know,
068do we kind of go around, it's not an official vote, but just to kind of pull people and say, look, I I could be comfortable with a 4% increase or a 5% increase or two, you know, 2% is where I'm at. Um, and if you're not if you you don't want to do that, you want some time to think it over, that's okay. But but you know, Amido and I are we need that guidance to move forward. I mean, we we could pick we could pick a number and and try to build a budget around it, but ultimately we're going to need the board to approve it. >> So there was no way to negotiate with the insurance health insurance company state. It's a state that that's the thing what's frustrating to be honest with
069you. There's so many things about running a school district that you have no control over, right? So, health, all the contractual obligations, special education, you know, the what what goes on a child's IEP must be honored legally, right? So, so there there's no saying we don't have enough money for special education services. It's a legal mandate, right? So in in a $32 million budget, quite frankly, you don't have that many choices and and areas to reduce. We we even spoke today going in and adjusting all non health benefits personnel expenditures back to the 2425 actual. But that's such a small part of the budget. It probably would have maybe cut back $50,000. A large exercise for no reason. You can talk about supplies and paper, copy paper. >> Even our athletics program, which is very
070saw a young man here tonight who we celebrated. It's even if you cut out all athletics, it it's not going to >> it's not going to make that much of an impact. So it piece of equipment. >> There is a potential that you could save money. Not now, but it's 6 months away. >> You might be able to get a new plan in place for >> January 1st. Yeah, you're you're not transitioning that quickly. You have to go out and you have to market it. The key factor is where is your experience rating? That's that's the most important. You know, if your experience rating is above an 85, you're probably best standing in the health benefits, the state health benefits. >> Because >> they look at experience rating that >> to give you a rate
071>> to give you. Yeah. >> It's like anywhere else, you know, your insurance, your personal insurance. you get into a car accident, get into one or two car accidents, see what the following year premium numbers are. You know, they that's how it works. It's a tough situation and um health benefits are a big factor in everybody's lives, not just districts, corporate corporate America. So when we raised it last year though did was there a public >> I I don't know >> we didn't have that at the time >> did I don't know if 3.2 >> that number was presented by administration and then we approve it because that I don't know if I didn't need to do the cross check but we just trusted by the number that we worked for the 8.2% is maximum
072percentage that the request. >> So you probably applied there was probably the cap waver and I I can look back at last year's and see how much the cap waver was. So the capreas >> Yes, because any feedback any number that you so we will do discussion maybe on the email to discuss part things you know we can do all So like the finance committee members can do we can just discuss um three including me and also other committee members if you would like to discuss your own please do so and let's come up with some numbers before next Wednesday meeting March 25th >> we have to request can't be next Wednesday we find out if we could by Monday I have a A lot of work ahead of me folks. >> Okay. So, four
073days left. So, probably need more knowledge for yourself to understand what's going on here and what's why we can this high number also the impact of our community and also impact to the school district >> and what Rob and I can do. We'll work for now at the 6.74 >> and I think that if you don't mind what we'll do is we'll develop and then we'll have other scenarios and unfortunately if we have to submit our budget late we'll submit our budget late uh if it comes down to that and and the other difficult part is is that the governor the governor pushed out her address two weeks out but only extended the submission by one week. So when you think the final the budget numbers or state aid numbers only came out on the
07413th or whatever day it came out that's when we got the final numbers and even with that we lost money. So you even lost money in state a >> yes >> so that came out. So you lost money there. >> So it's a tight cycle. Uh and it's it's a tough decision that everyone has to make. So we'll we'll move on but I can share for you for myself. I I agree with you. It's good to have these discussions so that no one is saying well you didn't reform. So we're in challenging times. You know cap waiver of 1.2 with a substantial number. But knowing that the state is allowing it means they recognize that districts can't survive if they don't make use of some of those >> last year 3.2% still pressure. The finance
075committee has some pressure on it because it's above 2%. But we did at the time negotiation matters and it was being very hostile and that's hard for past years. So we just requested the worst amount that we could request and but before that it has been 2% and instead as administer explained we've been using binding balance to close the cap and Thank you. >> Thank you. >> So you have all homework from today until Sunday. I'm going to call everyone. So please be ready over your old summary and visit. >> All right. So >> actually question. What is the break even if we're already working with a deficit right now and 6.74% will give us a surplus where the break really is breaking the even develop a budget again to break the even point at
0766.74 we have to cut the to the 2 million6. That's your because you have to present a balanced budget and and again will we talk about using other revenues other increasing certain revenue streams? Yes. Where I put in here 500 for extraordinary aid. We generally don't want to assume you're going to generate the same exact money as the prior year. I'm a little conservative in that. 900. Can we make 900 a million? Possibly. Uh when you look at miscellaneous revenues, uh you had in the prior year for 2425 it came in at 856. For 2526, they budgeted to 275. I'm saying 309. We'll look at that again. So when we say cut 2.2, it's not all expenditure side. We will look at adjustments in in revenue. So, but if the 6.74 is a is something
077the board can accept, we now know it's 2 that number versus 3.9. You know, that's a big difference to try and figure out how to manage a budget. >> Thank you. Thank you. Next. So, item K, approval of both minutes. I have a motion to approve February 25th, 2026 regular business meeting minutes, executive meeting minutes. >> Second. >> All in favor? So minute of minute of February 25th, forecast. Next item reading ground. You have five consistent agenda for motion. All in favor >> education. We have one one agenda. It's all about trips. May I have motion to approve trip? So I think a finance we originally had 17 conceptages agenda but we will only vote from number one to number 15. So number 16 and 17 emergency group repairs and authorization for the trans for
078fixing the roof. Those are against would not be included for this. >> I have a motion to Number five >> here. >> No, number five. I just gave clarification. >> So motion to approve finance item um number one to 15. >> Get the real quick. Yes, Mr. Sio. >> Yes, >> Mr. Raper. >> Yes, >> Mr. >> Yes, >> Mr. Justin. >> Yes, >> Mr. Junior. >> Yeah, >> Miss Boy. >> Hi, >> Mr. Young. >> Yes. >> And Mr. Eric, >> yes. Next personel we have seven consent agenda in personnel motion. Um, please roll. Yes. Mr. >> Mr. Number seven, >> Mr. Justin. >> Yes. Mr. Jun. >> Yes. >> Miss Bo, >> I also have to number seven. >> Yes. >> Mr. Jumper. >> Yes. And Mr. M. >> Yes. >> So motion
079pass. Then also I go back to SPL for clarification for number seven. Um I I this I better remove this language upon the Trump force in the contract approved by the board county exe executive county superintendent because we have approval from the county superintendent office. So as uh just the language was I brought it up before we received those approve over from the county count. So now it's all approved from the county. >> Thank you. May I have a motion to close the um discussion? But may I have a motion to open our meeting to the audience in public? All in favor? >> In order to conduct it meeting properly and efficiently, the board shall require the following procedure to public participation at all meetings. Any individual desiring to speak should give his name, address,
080and group. If any that is represented the presentation shall be as brief as possible but no more than three minutes per individual. The board vest in its president or other presiding officer authority to terminate the remarks of any individual if he she deems in in the best interest of those present to do so. really content. I teach science at the high school. It's really um just about the taxes. So if we stay at 2% then there's $4 million that needs to be cut from the schools which I'm assuming would come from school supplies, school programs, and school staff. But if they go to the 6.74, you're still short 2.6 million. But you may be able to find that certain places. Not necessarily all school supplies. >> Okay. Anyone in her teacher school? I just have
081a question. Mr. >> Mind to the president. >> Oh, okay. Um, so public employees, their health insurance is going up. You said 30%. So that would be the police as well. Did you speak to the mayor and see like because that fund that's so much money that they could help us help the school district because we're public employees and give us more towards our budget for the town. Is that something that you can do or no? >> Okay. Our respond and >> Oh, okay. Uh and also Mr. Do you are you going to say what the salary is for our new superintendent and does it increase each year because um that would also impact our budget as well. Thank you. Hi, my name is Amy Pierce Boulevard. Um, why are we taking away days from
082the spring break if that's where the roof is supposed to be repaired? And also for the um summer program, is that offered to the prek students as well? I also had the same question about the roof. They were planning on fixing it for spring break. How would you plan it now since school session? I also wanted to know as far as like the bomb threats. Do you how do you come up with whether you're going to evacuate the school or if you're going to shelter in place? And uh as far as letting parents know, how do you let parents know at any time in case this was something serious and it really it wasn't some random call just saying this was going to happen. I'm not going to lie that being in it and then
083not being able to get to my kid. >> Okay. I have a question. Why was >> your name please? >> Oh, sorry. My name is Maggie. I'm a staff at Lindberg and >> her last name. I wanted to know why was uh spring break not like like we have half days in the summer. Why wasn't it added to the summer? Like uh like the half days like instead of the three we we were taking over they took our uh spring break away in April for three days. Why wasn't it not added to the summer? Because we have so many half days. So it should have been added to the summer. Anybody else? >> May I have a motion to close our audience participation session? >> Second. >> All in favor? Most of us Mr. Arbano
084may be the best person to answer but if respond to Miss K I just want to make sure that I understood your question well. So you asking the board of if they they have any cells and >> Well, I'm just saying that I these public employees are I mean everyone's insurance went up a lot, right? >> And the police would be the same as the um teachers. So would you reach out to the mayor and say like what are you doing for that? What are they doing? Where are they finding that money? And is there any way that they would consider to give us more towards our budget? Is that like is that possible? >> Could there be a talk about that? >> Right. Um >> I mean know us we drive them crazy thing
085is school bus is very independent for school districtry. What I can request as actually me I and Mr. mayor last week and we discussed about the um school security that's our officer and other sources that we could cooperate or any parts that we could get any work we could just benefit each other. Unfortunately, you know, as we already discussed in the beginning, including our border office might have to give them a rent, right? So, you kind of see all this governing body has all its own financial struggles too. But we are discussing including renters, including the police officer in school and other share the services too and also public library issue as well too and we'll try our best to bring u to our school district. Yeah. >> So it was closed. I'm sorry. >>
086It's okay. Um I may ask a few good number of topics. So I may ask you clarifying questions. So, uh, Natalie, the budget, uh, you did hear correctly, >> but I want to emphasize just for clarification, I I think part of our discussion and a lot of information that we gave out without visuals, um, supplies, things such as that, when when you're trying if if we do go to the maximum, right, the 6.74% tax, which is a big ask of of the board and the community, we still need to do significant reductions and things like supplies and copy paper. We probably try to year-over-year hold those levels, >> but that's not where the money is, you know, and and and any budget for a school district. It between 75 and 80% of the money are
087in people, salaries, benefits, the things that we we talked about. So, when you're looking for over $2 million, cutting back or or getting a better price on copy paper, it it doesn't even move the dial at all. Okay. So, um that'll be part of our, you know, discussions going forward. We will be as transparent and you know, any presentations we make, they'll be posted on the website and uh for our employees and community to to follow. Um so that that process will be you know over the next you know six weeks or so. Um the health increase uh is 32%. Um I made a note was there was there a can you clarify that one for me? Oh. Oh that was Lisa. Okay. So we kind of answered it. So and and the the yeah
088everyone's everyone's facing the same challenge. So again, the mayor, I don't think he wanted to ask us to pay rent, but so so the idea of them potentially giving us money is highly unlikely because they have their own challenges, right? They're they're running, you know, all their staffs are strained and their budgets are strained. So, you know, we're looking for ways we met to try to look for ways that we could collaborate. you know, sometimes there is some efficiency in shared services and things like that. So, we started to have some interesting conversations, but you know, we're kind of like in the same position where the burrow, the school district, we're facing the same challenge. Okay. Um the salary, I'll defer to Sue on that one on the salary increases because the board determines that
089uh spring break. So, uh the simple answer is the roof. We were hopeful to get this roof replaced because right now we have two classes and the main office displaced in this building in the ECC as most people know. It was our goal to try to start and h have this project done over the break but that's just not possible. So there are required approvals, there are estimates and and again we tabled even the approval of it because we don't have the exact dollar amount and video I think the latest update from the construction company. What we also didn't realize again I was hopeful there's a lot of heavy equipment involved in the roof replacement. So there has to be machinery. It may potentially block traffic. And so probably the safest way to do this
090project is over the summer. So I did inform Miss Romero of that uh this afternoon because that is the latest update. The board is hearing this for the first time. I was hoping to get children and back in the classroom a better flow here, but it seems like, you know, that that will have to wait till September. So, um, but I guess related to that and and maybe this answers a few people ask about spring break. I think it's important to know that I didn't determine the makeup days. This current board did not determine the makeup days. The way a school calendar is developed is over a well about a year ago there are there's a committee that meets we have a policy on calendar de development which is typical in any public school district
091and it involves representation from the PPE. So we have calendar committee members very specific. There's a there's a a rep from every school district and my understanding is there were five members. They sit with the superintendent. They go back and forth. There aren't all that many decisions, but when you start like the first day of school, holidays, makeup days, those are the key factors that that are discussed with the committee and they they are advisory. They they they don't have final say. The board under New Jersey state law has the final approval. But most boards do, you know, refer to, you know, to to whatever recommendation they're getting and accept that because a lot of collaboration and expertise goes into it. Then typically it goes up to the admin level. Again, you just want different
092perspectives, there's state assessments, there's graduations, there's requirements. So with all that, this was developed last year and adopted, recommended to the board and adopted on April 30, then published. So that is really the guide that everybody follows once the calendar is published on board approved and published on the website. And in the middle of it, it it does clearly in bold letters say emergency makeup days will happen on spring break. do not make permanent plans. It I'm pretty close to without having it in front of me. So, with that, um, all we did, we didn't decide to have emergency snow makeup days on April break. That was decided over 10 months ago. We just followed the board approved calendar. Okay. So, um, the board could potentially amend or change the calendar, but that's a difficult
093thing to do when it's been published for 10 months and families plan around that, staff plans around that because those makeup days were were were established back in on April 30th, 2025. Now, this year, what I'm kind of hearing from some community members is spring break is valued. And what I've seen some other neighboring districts do is start school earlier and then build some potential snow makeup days around Memorial Day. And that that's another approach. So what I look forward to is meeting with the calendar committee, which I think uh Grace Lee, my assistant, is setting up a meeting and we'll have those discussions about the 26 27 calendar. But like I said, this current calendar and the spring break makeup days, they were decided 10 months ago and all we're doing is following the
094calendar. Okay. So, I think that addresses a few people brought up the calendar, the bomb threat. Um, we can't discuss in in a public forum. um and you wouldn't want us to discuss exactly how we handle different threats or or situations that those are more confidential internal conversations with law enforcement with administrators with faculty faculty people. So um but communication around it I think is important. You know what you try to do is avoid creating panic. It's a very scary situation, but I will tell you the principles, myself, the chief of police, our SRO, we were all in constant communication. The entire event was was about an hour. >> I you heard me compliment our our local police department. The the how swiftly they they responded and then brought in support from the county. And
095from the very beginning there was uh you know this idea that it was a noncredible threat but you still have to do your due diligence and that is where you know um we had to have a shelter in place. Um so in the midst of it you don't want to send out communication with partial information or incomplete information because it it may instill panic in people. >> Right. So quite frankly, you know, we give directives. If it's a shelter in place, if it's a lockdown, whatever it may be, you get clear directives from your building administrator. And we don't start right away giving minute-byminute updates. And in fact, you don't want us doing that. You want us focused on the issue at hand and making sure everyone is safe. But I did try to get
096a communication out at the very end of it. Um, and I I I get I get the the desire to want information in real time. It's I don't think it's prudent and it's actually not recommended. >> Okay. >> From the beginning. >> Yeah. But we didn't >> we didn't you you know it's it's you go one step at a time, right? You rule out this was was there no sign of forced entry? Okay. You know, you take it one step at a time. Again, I'd rather have you can call me. We could have a conversation. I don't think a public forum is where you want to discuss our safety plans. Okay. Um, spring break, I covered prek. Uh, the answer unfortunately is no. Uh, prek funding is is just for, you know, uh, 10 months
097during the school year. So, the grant money that we have will be a program at Lindberg. Um it is we're excited to we accepted a grant tonight that will cover a program um for our students. It will be a half-day program starting in late June and I think it's 20 full days and we will be we're planning it still but we will be posting for uh teachers to you know hopefully apply who are interested and provide some you know some additional learning for our students in the summer. And again it's grant funded which is nice and prevents that summer slide. So more more information to follow but it will not be for the prek children. Whoever asked that I apologize. Um I think I covered everything except for myself. >> Great. Um just a comments
098to the current things me to board members that we usually approve annual calendar in April not really later than May. So last year we approved it and um as explained there is a calendar committee in teachers and teaching steps and it usually include two board members and this by the privacy so far but it wasn't working that way and last year we just accepted a trust for our employee step in school and our administrator at the time that so that's um was our notice that we approve on what they decided. So that was included that any emergency closing or makeup days uh makeup days for emergency closing will be applied to the spring recess. And so who which board members are? >> Um we back then many years ago the board had a calendar committee
099and we felt that it didn't really function much at the time and it was just one months of a year. So we got rid of committee instead we decide to put that role into education. So that's how we discuss with Mr. Ch the chairperson in education regardless. So Mr. speak with the chair person Mr. John, >> we we're setting up our first meeting and then you know hopefully by April for the latest the May board meeting we'll present it to the entire board. Oh, wait. The bombs are silent. Were you aware of it? So, were you able to disclose? Would you figure out who did it? >> I I again, as I said earlier, I think that topics such as that, I'd rather speak to you uh not on camera public because um yeah, for
100obvious reasons. >> Yeah. At the similar time there's a news if I'm not mistaken. So there's a few students who arrested because of this force bound. That's ongoing issue in the nationwide and thankful that this was in our district and thanks against to all the forers including police officers and fire departments and Mr. and order administration and school staff as well. >> Any other discussion? May I have a motion? >> I have one my question. First, I want to congratulate you, Mr. becoming our superintendent for a long period of time. Um, but I was just wondering it didn't state the salary and is it an increase each year like the teacher goes up a guy you know we go up. So I was just just being very nervous about what um Mr. Andrew spoke to
101us about. So that would play also into the budget as well or no >> the salary. So I was just curious will will you state that in maybe the next board meeting? the the contract is uh already ratified and we agreed and we signed right. Okay. >> So it is secured until the contract >> once it's signed. >> Thank you. >> So the board will go on again to the close session to discuss bigger matters. It might take unnecessary minutes and more. So everyone can remain here otherwise have a good night and thank you for coming to our meeting. >> May I have a motion to close our clos session opening our meeting to the public? >> Second. >> All in favor? >> I have a motion to close our regular s regular meeting of
102March 2026. Regulation >> as second. >> All in favor? >> Thank you. Have a good night.