001The flag to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. >> Sorry for being Mr. Carmelo. At this time, it is our public input on agenda and non-aggenda items. I welcome any members of the audience to speak at this time. Members of the public in attendance at this meeting are provided with an opportunity to address the board of education to comment about this agenda or operations within the school district. Due to time constraints, we cannot respond during the public comment period. Comments may be recorded and responded to by the board of education or superintendent at a later date. Comments related to a specific personnel matter or to a student will not be allowed to be made
002during the public comment period. The board expects members of the public to speak in a respectful and courteous manner. We ask that all persons keep their comments to 5 minutes or less. If anyone would like to speak, come on up and tell us who you are. Introduce yourselves. >> I'm Ashine. I'm Nora Miller. >> I'm Pal. >> I'm Bar and I'm Tyler. We're all seniors at Troy. I'm here on behalf of our senior class. The last few years, graduation has been held on the football field. And last year, it was back to Hunt Valley. Since it's at both locations, we decided to ask the seniors where they prefer graduation was held this year. We posted a survey in the class of 235 Google Classroom, which was accessible to all 217 seniors. Around 150 responded, and
003almost 70% of them voted for it to happen on the football field. We understand that there are a lot of factors that go into the decision making where graduations held. However, we can put a price tag on the experience for us seniors. With construction that was soon taking place, we understand that it can raise a lot of concerns for parking. However, all the students and staff are aware of the parking situation and it will be different for the rest of the year. So, why not plan out? >> One of the major factors in the decision is also weather. We know that it can rain or be treated during the ceremony. However, we believe it's what you make of it. Many people have major events in their life such as weddings and bad weather. They regardless
004and don't let the weather. Many of the students said that having graduation on the football field is more sentimental to them and is a special way to close out our time here at Tro. We hope that you all will take this into consideration and allow our graduation to be on the football field. We understand that the decision may not be with one the majority of classes we'll take. However, something that Troy High has taught us is to always advocate for ourselves and others on something that we collectively feel strong about. We'd like to thank you for your time and don't give up your experience. I'm a muscle clip. Okay. Thank you for >> if anybody would like to follow that act. Mr. Denovo, >> go ahead. >> Okay, >> both accounts have been reconciled. Um,
005this is the first month that I was able to include projections for the general fund and will continue to do so for the remainder of the school year. um projecting that revenues and expenditures are right on target of where we had enough last year. The purchasing model in the accounting system has been set up to end for most users effective Good Friday. Any additional requests would need uh Mr. Hotailing or Dr. Watson's approval. And that is all I have to report at this time. >> Thank you. >> Any questions on anything? Budget discussion draft number two. >> Look at Mr. Carell is going to speak. >> Thank you. >> Actually, although we put um some of the detail from last time, remember we had budget discussion in between draft one and draft two. Uh so
006really almost all of this information was shared last time. Uh they put some numbers to it, but um it'll it'll be quick because um we're still really in a holding pattern waiting for the state. Uh we have uh the one house budgets that came out right before our last discussion. So, we can talk about them a little bit, but really until that final state budget is approved and we get our final runs and see where our money is, we really uh at this point have to wait for that to act. So, um let's get to it. Uh Tri City School District will provide a strong educational and social foundation to graduate all students college and career ready. You've heard me say it every time. That's uh what we're doing every single day, trying to make
007that a reality for every one of our students. and this budget. Um, when we're developing our budget, we're trying to put one together that will allow that to happen. I don't have to read that. That's the same slide. Uh, just always want to leave it in there because we are so proud of everything that's going on. Uh, and so I don't want to lose sight of the great things that are going on in every single school and all classrooms. Uh, how do we keep that momentum going? How do we do it in the most fiscally responsible way? uh and how do we do it in a season um that has probably been our most difficult one in maybe six, seven years, maybe longer. Uh we're always balancing those two lenses, right? We're trying to be
008educationally sound. We're trying to figure out what every student needs to be successful. We're trying to make that mission statement that I just had up there a reality, but we're also doing it and being mindful from of our taxpayers, trying to be good stewards of the taxpayers money. uh trying to make sure we're uh doing some long-term planning so that we don't put our district in any kind of trouble going forward. There's the tax cap uh that I put before. Again, the last four years have been amazing. Uh able to add the things we've added, being able to maintain the progress and sustain the progress that we've had, all the successes we've had, and we've done it with 0% tax levy increase over the last four years. We haven't increased that tax levy since the
0092021 school year. Uh really really proud of that. That's our draft one budget that we did uh about a month ago um with a deficit of 4.1. Remember that includes uh a 0% tax levy increase that includes uh all the positions that are in the current budget and we've made some adjustments uh since then. So these are the things we talked about at the last discussion and um the first line is the key right we we've reduced uh so cabinet and I talked you know Adam Donna and Iron uh and we actually spent um close to three hours going through all of the positions in our budget all of the things we've added over the last several years uh both with the federal money and in our you know remember we also got our full
010phase in of the foundation aid. So, we've been uh getting good foundation increases over the last three years um as well. And so, we've added some positions. So, we looked at all of that and um last year we talked about being conservative and strategic with our choices and we have been we talked about starting a nutrition plan last year and we've done that. And so, some of the most of these are based on things that are currently unfilled and so we'll leave them like that. Uh but we got a couple other things. So, we have four elementary SE sections that we're um recommending reduced. That's based on class sizes. Our class sizes are awesome, and I thank the board every time I talk about this. Uh you've allowed us to keep especially since co, you've
011allowed us to keep class sizes that have really been a positive impact on student and student achievement and student growth. Um because the the rel the uh ratio of teacher to student has just been so so fantastic. Um, even with those four sections being reduced, it's actually three at Carol Hill and one at school two is our plan right now. Those sections for those grade levels are still only 18 or below. Uh, so you can do the math to see where they are currently. Sabina here, she'd never like me to say that out loud. Um, we also uh are going to have four co-e positions. Those co- teach positions are the ones we added during CO. They've been a real success for us. Remember the co- teachers, there are always special ed co- teachers in
012every school in in you know New York State and across the country, right? Those are based on student IEPs. These are just co-e positions that we created after co to help with the um learning gap that happened when kids weren't here in school for a year and a half or two years depending. Uh and that's really two teachers in every room. So again, it really helps the uh targeted instruction. It helps kids get uh you know, more attention in the classrooms and they've really really been positive. And we still have we still have several left. Remember last year uh we called it a bonus year. We were able to move some of those federal grant positions into the fund using some of the foundation aid and using some of the other grants. So um we
013have room and we'll still have a bunch, but we have room I think for four coe positions. One of them was already unfilled. Two of them I think were already unfilled. And two we're hoping to get by uh attrition um on the agenda tonight is a TTA MOA for retirement incentive. That retirement incentive is very targeted. It's only for elementary classroom teachers because that's where our uh bubble is. And so uh if we can get a few there, that'll help with the attrition plan. And then every year just like throughout this year um there's a certain number of teachers who just leave leave the profession or leave for another district or for other reasons. So um we're confident that those four co- teacher positions also will be uh through attrition at least for now. uh
014two special ed positions right now uh had uh several meetings with uh uh Donna Fitz uh and those are unfilled and we're going to be able to u meet the needs of of kids uh the way we're doing it this year without uh filling those positions. One instructional coach was left recently for another school district. Uh we had two schools uh we have two in every school. But we had two schools, school two and Carol Hill that were splitting a third uh as an extra coach that we added uh during the last couple years. Um and she left and so we will not be filling that. We'll go back to two in each of those buildings. And then some creative stuff and this is the kind of stuff that uh you know Mr. Hotailing, Donna
015Fitz, Dr. Watson are all really great at. uh when we met and we're going through each item uh each line uh we have three social workers that are current that remember all the social workers that we added during co again as kids came back the mental health uh situation was really rough for some of those kids and so we have social workers I think I said last time three four not necessarily social workers but uh social emotional staff three or four sometimes more in every building uh so we're really and our kids need it and and so instead of At some point we'll probably reduce that, but at at this point we're taking three of them. Instead of reducing them, we're just switching the funding source. So we have an IDA grant and uh Fitz
016has some carryover money that she's able to uh carry them through next year, taking them out of the general fund and moving them into that grant. So uh just kind of creative way to to save those jobs. We've done that before. Um remember uh a couple years ago we saved a couple of custodians by paying them out of the lunch fund which you're allowed to do because they spend so much time feeding in the cafeteria. So that kind of idea. Yeah. >> Where does the IDA grant initiate from? Is that a federal government? >> Okay. >> So that comes with its own risks. >> Yeah. I don't think the money is at risk right now. The Department of Education at the at the federal level is certainly at risk. Um, but I think everything I've
017read, uh, and we will certainly keep an eye on it. It's a great question, but everything I've read is the title money that comes from them and the IDA money that comes from them is already earmarked and not really at risk. Now, maybe going forward, it's already in for next year, maybe after that there'll be some if they end up no title money and no IDA money, we have more to worry about than those. just going to say I don't know, >> but yeah, it's a it's a great point. >> Um, those positions add up to a little less than 1.3 million. Uh, and don't forget, right, we're talking about the attrition plan. I just want to make sure we got it on there. Any open positions from now until the end of next school
018year will be thoroughly reviewed, thoroughly analyzed. Um, I've already mentioned it to the administration. You know, if we lose, you know, we lost a half dozen or so teachers during the year. Again, it happens uh for a variety of reasons, but if we lose a fourth grade teacher next year for whatever reason, they go to another district. The first place we'll look is internal. If we still have co- teachers, one of them can go there or or moving other things around. We are not going to just replace positions without doing a a thorough uh comprehensive review of that position. Uh it'll be a strict attrition plan. Strict in that we will definitely be looking and keeping the board involved on on all of that as it goes along. And remember why that is. I'll talk
019about it again at the end. But um we're going you have to use some reserves to close the gap that we still have. Uh, and when you're using one-time revenues for recurring costs, you got to make sure you're doing something to lower those costs the following year. So, that's what that attrition plan will be. So, given those given that 1.276975 um that changes our expenditures uh from draft one and now our deficit is down to it's still still significant, but it's down to 2.8 million. Now, remember, we have three ways right now to close it, and we'll talk about all three. But if if we don't close it with those three, then we got to go back to that list. That's 14 positions we've got with really no layoffs at this point. Uh no budgetary
020layoffs. Uh if we don't like those three, the idea of the revenues, the tax levy, and reserves combining to 2.8, we would have to go and and uh go to the next round of positions that we would have to cut. You know, we have another group that um you know, the more cuts you make, eventually you hit uh student impact, right? We're comfortable with these 14 and feel like we can do that without really impacting anything we're doing instructionally or programmatically or student achievement or student growth wise. Um, but the more you cut, the harder that is to guarantee. So that 2.8. So the first thing is budget revenues. Right now, you know, we're at the 2% minimum. That was the governor executive budget that came out in January. Uh the Senate and assembly one
021house bills. Both have added to that. So the Senate added 680 million to the the governor's number and the assembly 569. The Senate made the minimum increase for all districts three and the Assembly made it 2.9. It helps us, but we talked about this before. Um, you know, if you're giving everybody three and 2.9, then you're not really taking into account, remember the letter, the advocacy letter that we did, um, and those kinds of things. Like there's still there's districts that were thrilled with two and then you're giving everybody three. I mean, I'll take it because it'll help us, but I was hoping that um, you know, they listened a little more and maybe they did because the assembly one, if you see the change to the foundation a formula, uh, Assemblyman McDonald who came
022and spoke to us, is convinced that that last one on there, the update of the uh, income wealth index is going to help us. Until we see the runs, it's just hard to tell because what that does is it lowers the baseline of what's considered four. Is that how kind of there's not there's not going to be a minimum where the minimum is lower. >> The floor on the muff is 65. We are at the floor. So if they lower that number, districts that actually calculate to a lesser number will get more money. It's kind of that simple. So your income wealth index and there's a range >> but it'll add more districts than just us. So >> right so we don't know how much everybody so we don't know how we're going to be
023affected and they don't run they don't do state runs until really the end. >> So John McDonald is convinced that's going to that's going to push some more money to us. We'll hope he's right. So there's a chance that our 1.2 2 million right now at the revenue that we got from the governor's budget at 2%. If we can get the Senator Assembly's number three or almost three, that's another 600,000 right there. If if Assemblyman McDonald is right and there's another few hundred,000 because of the income wealth, uh, you know, we're getting on our way, right? But even if it's just the 600, let's say it's that, uh, that takes that 2.8 to 2.2. We then talked about this a little bit last time uh and that's the tax levy percent uh options. Right now
024the draft that has a 2.8 uh is is assuming 0% again tax levy. I've been saying all along at some point we're going to have to stop moving the zeros. I know people love them and I know the taxpayers certainly love them. Um, it hurts us the following year as Donnie pointed out last time because the baseline is now a lower amount, right? That tax levy that we've used has been the same for four years. So, we leave money on the table when we do it. Although, I know it's a good thing. We've been doing it intentionally. Um, but at some point, we're going to have to to sell to the taxpayers that um it's worth some of these numbers. Now, the cap maybe not. I think it's a good optics to be below that
025for sure. So I'm not recommending the 257. We talked about 2% last time and we don't have to decide this right now until we get a final state budget, but we really do have to start thinking about it. Uh we had a little bit of discussion last time. If we got 600 more for the um for the revenue from the state and you know if we're doing 2% that's another 750. Uh that's where the reserves is, you know, 1.5 and we're done and we can and we can be done with our draft three and be done with the budget. If you don't like 2%, if it's 1.5, well then we just got to find another the difference between 758 and 569, you know, another 180,000. Um and where do we find that? Do we go
026get a couple more positions to reduce? Um, do we if we got 200,000 more in revenue, do we knock the reserves down that we're using? You know, all of those things are one puzzle of the same pot. So, we just got to figure >> Why don't we start talking about it now? >> Sure. >> Last time you said 2% was good. >> That's why I didn't come up with a reason why we should have 2%. Um I because we if we wait till the last minute >> to start talking about it. I think we're not going to come up with >> um you know a reasonable answer. >> Yeah. And Tom is making a point. It doesn't have to be one of these. You can go in between um you know you just said 175.
027You can go you can go intermediate time. for the people. >> You mean staying away from because I think at one point, didn't we do a 1.99? >> Yeah. We did 299 then we did 199. >> The last time we did it was 2010. >> Yeah. >> I mean these guys will it'll make their jobs a little easier. Not that we like making their job any guy, but I mean it would make more sense if they could go in with a um with a more positive number rather than guessing at it. I don't know. I'm the only one talking here. Somebody else talk. >> I guess we have to just know when the time comes if we're if we end where we are right now. I mean I I mean 175 probably would work. Um
028if you go too low then we got to probably just when I said somebody else I didn't mean him. >> She said >> what did you say? >> I said when I said somebody else talk I didn't mean you meant us. >> Um >> I figured it out. Yeah, he's number 525 easier to to sell to the >> 525 a month. Oh, he's going to figure out the actual revenue. >> Yeah, >> it'll be $525 a month for the average home. If there's no more state, >> if there's no more state money, >> then you know, we got to come up with five to 600,000 in other cuts. >> If you go back on where that ends up, >> yeah, which is why I said we could wait. But so that what Adam's saying is
029if there's no more state money like if we're in if we're at the governor's number and she doesn't take it. I mean usually there's some give and take but the Senate assembly just get knocked out and we stay at 1.2 then yeah that number is still 2.8. So even with 1.5 in reserves u we're already going to have to come up with five or 600. >> That's where it's at right now. So if it goes to 3% then that 600 goes away and it's and you're essentially good with that 1.75 one and a half million in reserves, >> right? Okay, I got you. >> So, if we get another 600,000 then 175 will cover us with the 1.5. >> So, it's really going to depend on those state. >> But if it's 175, are people
030you think the community is going to are you guys okay with it first and then do you think the community think >> I think it's an easier cell for us to talk about why and um what we're going to do to keep it at 175 and we could say, you know, we're keeping the program. We're not we're not taking anything away from them except 1.75. I mean, it only >> and and and as we go around to the different community groups and different parent groups, we talk about those positions that were cutting, we really didn't want to get too much further than that because it really would affect kids, right? And you just tell them what the bottom line is monthly. >> Yeah. >> You know, that's how it got the last couple of times.
031>> Yes. Right. >> And they haven't had an increase in four years. >> Right. >> Yeah. Oh, that's another good point. >> Yeah. >> You think people will feel okay with this? >> I do. Um but I think unlike most budget years, what's happening this year is federal government is cutting money off midstream that's going to agencies. So unlike most years where we end up in between the two, what's happened in the interim is I know at Oasis we just got an $90 million cut. OM has one, DO has. So the agencies are everyone's going back to the well this year with federal cuts. So it might be harder >> closer to the governor's number. >> Yeah. >> That's what you're afraid of too. I'm afraid of that and stock market bonuses where they ended
032up with a bad couple weeks if they usually come in this month. We just don't know. But I mean the target, you know, I feel like you guys can set a target and then we're going to know hopefully before the next meeting and then there's just got to be a lot of discussion at the next meeting. I think >> draft schedule for April 9th. >> That's the other thing. If you cell phones is not here, it doesn't really affect our budget. and we're already doing our cell phone um ban. Um but the governor is really really stuck on that and we were at a meeting on Friday with a lot of but she works with Questar and she said the governor is saying already she'll have it be a late budget if the assembly incentives
033don't agree with her cell phone policy. So they're going to fight over that a little bit now. She might just be posturing that happens a lot, right? But um she is set on having that cell phone thing go through. So hopefully by April 9th we have some final runs that we can really have some discussions or else we'll have to figure out what to do as far as making our decisions. Um so if the revenues are closer to the government the governors then we're going to have to go back to the drawing board. We do have another round of positions that we would say next come. Uh so we would bring those to you. Uh but again at that point we probably would need 175 uh at the minimum. Um and then um with the
034reserves and I just wanted to put it one more time. Non-recurring revenue really should not be used but we're doing it with the understanding that we're going to cut u the expenses in the following year with our attrition plan. I don't think Adam's going to go over to 1.5. Is that right? I'm sorry. 125, right? Listen, it was the board. >> That's not what he said to me. >> I can be nervous. >> Yeah, he can be nervous for a year or two. Um, so it's really those three things though. It's revenues from the state, it's tax levy where it's revenues from the taxpayers, and then it's some reserves that are using. Those three right now have to combine the 2.8. If we get um you know more revenues then obviously the second two more
035revenues from the state then obviously the second two can be a little bit less. So we're going to monitor that state budget process and we have meetings regularly. We're talking McDonald Joel you've been great during this process information you get I appreciate you always sending it is great. uh we continue our advocacy um and we have already continued to review and analyze and everything we've got. So we'll get there. This is this has been a hard one. We've had we've had three or four really good years. We haven't had to do any of this. So um but we'll do it. We'll do it together. Good. Thank you. >> Thank you, Mr. Carlo. Motion on the floor for approval of minutes March 12th, 2025. >> Second >> discussion. All those in favor? >> Opposed? Superintendent recommendation
036human resources staff matters unclassified and classified under unclassified. A motion on the floor for consent agenda items 1 through 8. >> Second. >> Discussion. All those in favor? >> Opposed? Other classified. Motion on the floor consent agenda items 1 through five. >> Second. >> Discussion. All those in favor? Under superintendent recommendation programs. Motion on the floor for consent agenda items one and two. Second. discussion. >> Did you say something? >> Okay. >> Well, this is great. We're merging that wine spell is merging. Yes. Um, you know, adding to our sports team. So, >> yes, definitely. It's going to be a game. >> All those in favor? Opposed. >> Superintendent recommendations, business finance. Motion on the floor for approval of item one as listed. Second discussion. All those in favor. >> Opposed. Under board resolutions. Motion
037on the floor for approval of item one as listed. >> Second. >> Discussion. All those in favor? Opposed. Future board meetings. All meetings will take place at 6 pm. April 9th. Budget discussion draft three April 22nd adopt the budget town hall budget >> and that's a Tuesday remember right should >> no >> oh we just do the vote >> we just do the vote >> uh April 22nd adopt the budget and Josh has got his presentation May 7th town hall budget hearing May 20th budget vote. May 21st meeting to certify vote and Mr. Camp's presentation. Um, good news. School 16 students recently painted a mural at the Troy atrium with art teachers Miss Bond and Miss Manuso. Thank you to our staff, students, and family who brought this project to life. It's not just visual
038arts at school 16 either. Students have been working hard to prepare the annual school 16 talent show which takes place tomorrow at 6 pm. Troy High students Taylor Casease and Amal Alawadi won first place out of 66 teams in junior achievement titan challenge as part of Mr. O'Keefe's business class. The team also received support from Megan Baker of Baker Public Relations. Congratulations to Taylor and M. And thank you Mr. O'Keefe. Yeah, it is Troy. Uh, six Troy High artists had their work selected for this year's high school regional jured art exit exhibition at the Albany Center Gallery. This year's show featured 138 works chosen from more than 500 submissions across 25 school districts. Congratulations to Sophia Lavarge, uh, Kin Nang, Talia Rodriguez, Isabella Sparana, Mary Jane Kalstino, Valasquez, and Hannah Gina, and I apologize for
039really messing up those names, who also received the Russ College Department of Visual Arts and Performing Arts Award. Uh, it's in the Friday report this coming Friday. All those pictures are really >> Oh, okay. Great. Um I think some of I think somewhere on Facebook. >> Uh only one one of only 18 awards given across the region. The exhibit will be on display April 18th with a public reception on April 4th from 5 to 8:00 p.m. Um I was going to say something earlier. Oh, anybody that's April 2nd, anybody that's going to the to Questar, >> did they respond to you? >> Yes, we are. >> Okay, you can cuz Robin reached out to me and I said, >> "You should be all set." >> Yeah, I um sent in the RSVP. Uh, Mr. Flowers,
040Miss Heman, right, Mr. Mayo, >> and Miss as well as you >> and me. >> Yeah. Um let's see. And we're not going to adjourn the meeting. We motion all the floor to go back into executive session. Invited in will be Dr. Watson and Adam. >> We're not coming back for >> We're not coming back. Yeah. Um can I have a second on that? >> Second. All those in favor? >> Thank you everybody. of the night.