001The regular meeting of the South Colony Board of Education will be called to order. Roll call. Thomas Blakeley here. Brian Casey here. Stephanie Kogan here. Rose Giggleello here. Jennifer Hulahan here. Michael Keane here. David Keel here. Christopher Larab here. And Robert Misk here. Please stand to pledge the flag. I pledge algiance to 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. [Music] Agenda item number three. These are the minutes of the regular meeting of April 23rd. Does anybody have any questions, comments, edits? Hearing none, I will take a motion. Mr. Blakeley and Mr. Misik. All right. On the motion made by Mr. Blakeley, seconded by Mr. Bisc the minutes of the regular meeting of April 23, 2025 be
002approved. All in favor? Any against? Motion carries 90. Number four, the public hearing on the recommended budget. This is pursuant to education law 16817161. A public hearing will be held for the purpose of discussion and receiving of public comments from interested parties and citizens on the expenditure of funds and the district's proposed budget for the 2025 2026 school year. They need to have signed in to say something now. Yes. Correct. Do I just put one Yeah, we're just going to do the presentation. Okay, Miss Mallister will do the presentation. Thank you all for coming. Um, so tonight we're discussing the budget. It is legally was legally obligated to uh do a public hearing uh for the vote. So, tonight is our public hearing. I'll go through the adopted budget by the board of education on
003our last meeting. Uh, and then the budget vote is May 20th. Um, and I'll review all of it tonight. Um, here are our budget priorities as we went through the budget uh process, budget development process. Um, academic equity for an opportunity for all students, structuring sustainability and programming, strengthening our high school pathways, and enhancing our facilities, continuing our next generation colony project. Um our economic factors for the 2526 budget development were um our expenses which are you know our inflation, health insurance, salaries, pension contributions, revenue, state aid, tax levy, federal aid. Um it's the tax levy cap is is a factor in what we can levy. Um and then we have state and local timelines and this year we're still awaiting information on our final budget from the state. Uh foundation aid is projected in
004this budget based on the executive uh proposal. So, we're still waiting a state budget to pass, giving us those title numbers, but we are moving forward with the numbers that we have. Um, here is a snapshot of our enrollment trends. Um, this is why we're seeing some foundation aid increases. Our enrollment has been increasing and looks to increase or or steady out uh over the next five, six years. Um, so that looks good for our foundation aid and our um enrollment trends. the tax cap. Um, this year our inflation factor, the CPIU was 2.9%. We're at our our allowable growth levy factor of 2%. Um, for us, our tax cap this year is 3.4909% and we are going out at 3.49%. Um, of that is 1% of that is our new capital project debt. So
005as we approved um in 2022 our capital project next generation colony we're seeing that first tax cap tax impact um in this levy and that is about 1%.95 5% the balance of that is our rollover um levy um the tax levy increase as I said is 3.49% 49% that is equivalent to $2,86,138. Um, a little bit under our cap. And for a house with a $200,000 market value is $8.37 per month. Um, and then as you go up, um, that is our market value. It is based on assess value. Our per thousand um rate is based on the uh thousand assess value. Um, and that you can find on your tax bill. If there's any questions on that, please contact me. I can I can walk you through that. Um, Miss and Gilderland's equalization rates
006are much higher than Tom Colony, which is why the rates are a little bit um different. Our revenue summary, we have um our our big buckets of money come from um our taxes, our pilots, and uh star reimbursement from the state. We're increasing that the $2.8 million. Uh we're looking at state aid increases of 8 million. Um that includes our increase in our building aid to offset the the debt that we have for the capital project. Um miscellaneous Medicaid costs. We're decreasing that a little bit just to account for some of the changes in federal laws. Um found we're looking at an uh increase of fund balance and reserves of 175,000. Um the portionments are majority taxpayer dollars and state aid and then the smaller buckets of our reserves and miscellaneous revenue. Um as we
007went through the budget development process, our expenditure budget, we hit our transportation and facilities budgets. Um keeping those mutual contractual increases going there. Uh special ed and people services adding a.5 psychologist and a UPK interventionist. Um districtwide support, we're looking at combining positions for an additional full-time support for communications. Um on the instructional side budget, we have a 0.5 business teacher for high school pathways, two elementary teachers at Lysa Hill who are class size reduction at sixth grade. um two middle school interventionists. Um this right reading and writing interventionist, this budget neutral um coaching advisor positions that we talked about when we went through the athletics and in um intercolastic um and uh club activities uh budget uh 712 science supervisor is within this budget and our continued IT replacement plan to make sure that
008all of our students get their onetoone devices. um the adopted expenditure budget, we see an 8.36% increase, about 10 million. The largest increase is our debt service for our um our debt for this project. So, I've talked about that a lot, but it is the majority of our increases on the revenue and the um the expenditure side. So, we're seeing 6.31% increase in general support, 3.32 in instruction, 3.65 in transportation. Community services are going down, which should not be negative there. Um employee benefits 7%, we do see an increase in our health insurance and our pension contribution costs. Um debt service is the larger bucket and intercon transfers will keep me equal. Um a proportion of the um proposed increase I've mentioned that before the largest increase is our debt service. Um we are looking
009at a large increase on our employee benefits and our instructional side of the budget. So the largest increase portions are debt service, employee benefits and instruction. Uh this is our mandatory three-part budget. We have to uh disclose our administrative capital and program budget. Um 3% or sorry 9.2% of our budget is administrative capital has grown from the debt service 13.4% and the program why we're all here educating students 77.4% of our budget. Um, in this we have the balanced budget uh $139,550,500 for our proposed budget. Budget vote is May 12th. We also have our board election. I'm sorry, May 20th. Um, I don't even know where that came from. Um, May 20th, 11:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. at our middle schools. Just a reminder. Oh, I have that later. Sorry. um our our budget locations,
010but Proposition one will be our annual operating budget. Vote yes or no on this. Um just that's the language that you'll see on the ballot. The school bus proposition is 1.83 million including one um electric school bus but 10 buses for our replacement plan. Otherwise, the electric school bus allows us to get grants for um make ready for when we need to transition to our new building over at um 1015 Waterly Shaker Road. So that is the purpose of adding that in. That is an actual zero net cost to the taxpayers and to the district um after grants and staking. Uh that is the uh language for the proposition for the buses that you'll see on the ballot. And then we have one board seat open and looking to be filled by Mr. Brian Casey.
011Um so it's a board election you will see on the um ballot as well. A reminder of our polling locations, St. Creek and Lysill based on the zones that you're in. It is an assigned polling location. If you have any questions on those, we have a website that you can go to and find your um your polling location. But otherwise, if you're in the Saddlewood and Beater zones, you go to Ly Hill. If you're in the Forest Park, Rosella Road zone, you go to St. Creek. Uh what if the budget doesn't pass on May 20th? Um the statewide revote is on June 17th. Uh we could present a new vote to the p to the public. Um or contingency budget where we would have to cut $2.8 million of the budget. Um that is all
012non-contingent items and um additional program cuts if we need it. Um I think that is the end of my presentation. Any questions? Any questions? Great. Everybody get that? Yeah. Thank you. Thank you very much. All right. Agenda item number five. That's the president's spotlight. Tonight we're honoring Colony Students Shine at the Regional Skills USA competition. I'll read this first and then I have certificates to give out and we can do that and a photo op if you choose. On March 19th, South Colony students showcased their skills at the Capitol Region Bose Skills USA competition in Albany. Hunter David, Hunter, you want to just wave your hand. Everybody know you're here. There he is. Hunter David secured first place in welding and metal fabrication, earning a spot in the state competition in Syracuse. Next, Bryce Skiff.
013Bryce, you want to put your hand up? There he is. Bryce GIF demonstrated his creativity and technical expertise by achieving third place in the action skills car category for pet tech, earning a spot in the state competition in Syracuse. Congratulations to both Bryce and Hunter. Their accomplishments are a testament to the quality of education in our district and the dedication of our teachers, staff, and community partners. We look forward to celebrating their continued success at the state competition and beyond as they pave the way for a bright future in the skilled trades. Congratulations, [Applause] Hunter. We'll come up. Hunter and Bryce, you want to come on up here, please? All right, concert president spotlight first place in welding and medical application skills US and regional competition. Congratulations category for Pentecost skills USA regional competition. [Applause]
014Congratulations for Now, since then, have you gone on to another competition? And how did you do? Congratulations. [Applause] [Music] I didn't win. Okay. Very good. But you guys were there. Yes. And you had fun. Yeah. Excellent. Well, thank you very much, Rice. Thank you, [Applause] All right. Agenda item number six, superintendent update. Dr. Perry, that's you. Yes. Good evening. Uh thank you to everyone in attendance. Uh this week is teacher appreciation week and I see all of uh uh a lot of our teachers out here uh tonight. So thank you for coming. I know we're doing a variety of things uh in the buildings. Our PTA have been supportive of our teachers. So uh although it's uh one week throughout the year, uh they should be appreciated every day uh throughout our entire school year.
015So thank you to our teachers in in attendance and those that are uh viewing at home. Um update to the end of the year schedule. The end of the year schedule is out. Um our graduation uh will be at the MVP Arena on uh Wednesday, June 25th. Our last um student day at the high school before exams is uh Friday, June 13th. And our last uh student days in the middle school um will be on the 23rd of June be the last full day. And the last half days will be on the 24th to 25th of June. And at the elementary school, the last full day will be on the uh 23rd of June uh with half days on uh Tuesday the 24th and Wednesday the 25th. Um so closely uh wrapping up the the
016school year pretty quick. Uh one other uh thing to mention, uh we've got Packfest coming up on the 17th. Uh we're getting through all the rain here now. So hopefully that'll be a beautiful day to celebrate uh all those events going on. So um lot going on uh with construction. Um we've got some items tonight presented before the board for our next schedule. But uh so far in schedule uh 1A, B, and C, we've renovated U high school um B-wing, we are going to be working this summer on the F-wing, which is the English and social studies wings. Uh we've done some abatement work in there and we'll be um renovating those classrooms uh starting at the end of June. Um we are also working through the uh exterior facade at at Lysill and the
017foundational work has been ongoing. Um, but we're excited as we continue on with stage uh one uh the second summer of stage one uh to start to look at stage two and that includes the Veer Library uh construction as well as um uh updates to uh Lysa Hill and some additional site work uh at a variety of our buildings. Additionally, at the elementary schools, we'll have uh construction going on at Shaker Road Elementary this summer as part of stage one. Uh last summer we did the exterior site work. Uh this summer we're going to be doing the the classrooms at Shaker Road. So a lot going on. Uh we'll continue each of the next summers. Uh looking forward to um stage three which will be our transportation center predominantly as well as some additional uh
018renovations of our elementary buildings. Um and that'll be going on starting in 2026 through approximately 2028 just to give everybody a timeline. So that's all I have for an update. Thank you very much. Agenda item number seven, new business. Does anybody have anything they'd like to speak on? Miss Gigglyello and people great people there, a lot of interns and New York. Yes. Yes. We had a little sneak peek of the concession stand the day before it was used. Yes. A lot of good things going on. All right. Thank you very much. Anyone else? Mr. Keane. Um I was able to get out. Um PTSA put on their spring artist fair. Yes. Lots of unique stuff. always happy when I can get my pickles. Yes, pickle lady was there. Um the girls softball team held teacher
019appreciation game. Um five seniors recognized five educators that have had a tremendous impact on on them. Um I was able to snap some pictures. U but more importantly hearing and seeing the impact that those educators made on on those students was was fantastic to hear. And then a couple weeks back got to attend the um Boseies dinner and budget vote. Um the meal put on by the culinary students. Um I am asking next year that they have some to go containers so that I can have lunch for the following day. That's for sure. Um it was fantastic. Fantastic. Yes. Do they feed you guys when you're at when you're at Posies? Uh you got to sneak into the kitchen. definitely recommend it. Very good. Thank you very much. Anyone else? Miss Hulahan, I also at
020the craft fair volunteering session for the day. Um I think the rain hurt us a little bit. Um but I think you know just I'd like to shout out the kids who volunteered once again. They were all amazing and we get nothing but compliments from how helpful our kids are. Um particularly unloading the vendors in the morning. They were so fast and then the skies just kind of opened up right after we got everybody in. Um, so the kids were just amazing and that was really awesome. Terrific. I'm looking forward to all of the fun. Thank you very much, Mr. Ke. I would just like to say that it was a pleasure to attend the CASDA award dinner and awards last week. CASDA is the Capitol Area School Development Association, which is now headed by
021our former deputy superintendent, Mr. Bakus. Nice to see Mr. Bakus. And in his usual master of ceremonies manner, um Mrs. Bakus was there, too. Nice to see her. And I'll tell you, some of the honores, well, the honores were lots of different uh walks of life. there were administrators and teachers and par professionals and even the mayor of Hudson were getting awarded for what they mean for education. Um especially nice to see Mrs. Fiser who was our business administrator for a long time here. She's gone on to do uh special work for special districts here and there. She the last place she has been was at Berlin where she saved them from a monetary problem and it was nice to see her and uh let me just see if I there board of education members
022were honored. Uh Mayor Hudson I said administrators, teachers, support staff. That's nice to see everybody get a little bit of recognition. Uh and that's my list. Thank you. Very good. Thank you. Uh the only thing I have to add that wasn't said before is that the uh girls lacrosse team is also having their teach teacher appreciation night tonight and senior night on Thursday. It is that time of year. We are hurdling fast into the end of the school year. Sorry, Mr. Larby. Just thought of something. Uh thanks to Dr. Perry for throwing out a first pitch at uh Comedy Little League's opening day. 500 uh players uh this year over at the park. And uh Wolfie was uh in attendance also. Um having a good time with the day and the kids and took a
023lot of pictures and appreciate it. Threw a strike too. Throw it. True. Peter strike softball. Y luckily Adriana threw out the first pitch there. So save me. I'm not sure if I can do the underhand quite like she can. So very good. Anyone else? Good. All right. Thank you very much. Agenda item number eight, communications. Are there any public comments? All right, terrific. Agenda item number nine, board committee reports. We have to review the strategic planning. Miss Giggleello, is there anything you would like to make mention of? All there. All right. Anybody have any questions? Yes. Good. Thank you very much. Um, agenda item number 10, reports and recommendations for actions. These are letters A through H. Dr. Perry, is there anything you'd like to highlight? Uh, these are pretty standard. We've uh either dealt
024with some of these agreements uh year to year. Um, one thing, uh, in terms of the bid award there under electrical services, that's an as needed, uh, basis. So, if we have something that our, uh, electrical, uh, and maintenance staff can't do, we have, uh, the bid awarded to be able to bring this company in, but we don't use them, uh, very often. Any questions? Hearing none, I'll take a motion. Mr. Keane and Mr. Blakeley. On the motion made by Mr. Keane, seconded by Mr. Blakeley, that the above stated reports and recommendations be approved. All in favor? Any opposed? Motion carries. 90. Agenda item number 11, that's personnel instruction. Those are pages 10 through 12. And that brings us to Mr. Robotic. Yes, thank you. Um, we are, well, I'll say there are many people
025in district working hard right now on interview committees to replace position from some of our teachers who are retiring. You're going to start to see those names populated on the agendas. This is the first four. This is some of our retirees in the high school business provisions and some classes. Pretty straightforward and we welcome for one teachers to our district. Wonderful. Any questions for Mr. Robini? Hearing none, I'll take a motion. Mr. Casey and Mr. Misik. On the motion made by Mr. Casey, seconded by Mr. Misich, that the instruction personnel changes listed on the attached sheets dated May 6th, 2025 be approved. All in favor? Any opposed? Motion carries. 90. Next up, agenda item number 12, personnel support. This is pages 13 through 14. Mr. Robotti, anything on those? More good news on the support
026side. One resation that's there. So, some new employees to the district on the support side, which is always good news again. Very good. Any questions? Hearing none, I'll take a motion. Miss Gigglyello, second. Mr. Keane. On the motion made by Miss Giggley, seconded by Mr. Keen, that the support personnel changes listed on the attached sheets dated May 6, 2025 be approved. All in favor? Any opposed? Motion carries. 9 to zero. Agenda item number 13, future meetings. Have there been any changes or anything we need an update on? Don't believe there's any changes here. Just of note, um the May 27th is at the high school, so keep that in mind. We also have the uh graduation hall of fame committee meeting prior to that. That's also going to be a uh appreciation uh afternoon reception
027for our retirees, all of our retirees staff. So 3:45 Mr. Obli is working through that as well. So 3:45 that begins the reception. Thank you. That's on the 27th, correct? Yes, sir. All right. Very good. I would just I would just like to say I know it's not a future meetings, but I checked the calendar just a moment ago. There's lots of things coming up, but if anybody hears of any other things that aren't on the calendar, we like to go to as many as we can. There's so many uh concerts and present presentations and updates, Mr. Ke for Memorial Day invitations. So, I know they came in this week. If you have not received them, we'll put that in the Friday bullet and I know Amber put them online already. So, this one again
028does a great job with the calendar. Thank you very much. All right. Is there any other business in front of the board? I'd like to speak on something. Yes, Mr. Laravey. Um just like to um speak uh quickly. I'd like to personally thank uh Rick Barrett for his many years of coaching the students of South Colony. I know that his 30 years of passion with county athletics go far beyond the fields uh and vetering in the classroom. The way he assists and tracks players grades is a benchmark that something all of our coaches in the district should do. Uh we all know the last few months have been extremely difficult and challenging for this entire board members. When I was lucky enough to be voted in to the volunteer position almost four years ago, I
029never had to envision having to vote on such challenging appointments. But what I can say um and what I would like to say is that this entire process has taught many valuable lessons. Most importantly that we need to trust put our faith in full support in our leadership and the decisions that are presented. That is the reason why we hired them and they're doing an absolutely amazing job for our district. I think we all we can all learn and possibly do better going forward when challenges arise. I thought that a big thing was that it empowered our students to have a voice whether whatever they wanted to say and they spoke on the topics related to our district moving forward. I fully support the new hire and he will do great and trust him 100%
030to continue to develop coach and lead young men on and off the field just like our last coach instilled for many years and will still. Thank you. Thank you very much Mr. Larby. And on that note, also for all the teachers and the staff here, thank you. This is one week that you get for for the appreciation, but our appreciation goes all year round. You are here to do you're the boots on the ground and you to have to have a vocation that is your passion is amazing. And I thank you. We all thank you for being there, showing up every day, and going that extra mile for our students. Thank you very much. You do make a positive difference. All right, we are going to have an executive session where we are happy to
031discuss a legal matter. May I have a motion to enter executive session? Mr. Casey, Mr. Larabe. The motion made by Mr. Casey, seconded by Mr. Larby to enter executive session to discuss legal matters relating to a particular person. All in favor? Any opposed? Motion carries 90. Time is 700 p.m. Thank you all for attending. If you are a participation in government person who needs their