001Thank you everybody. Thanks for being here. Uh hope you had a good spring break to our public for joining us tonight. Thank you as well. Uh there is so much that goes into a budget. Uh we live sort of the execution of that budget that's adopted the year before during our regular school year. Uh I think one of uh one one of the kinder phrases about budgets is that it's the financial expression of the priorities of your place of your district. Uh and I and I think uh that the budget that has been created and has been worked on through the work of our school board, through the work of conversations, through the work of uh district leadership, um and through through hearing, you know, thoughts from the community as well. I think all that
002has been wrought to uh be able to present to you um what I think is a what what I what I believe is a budget that uh that that keeps us with our promises u the idea that we're going to create places where students can create care solve and discover and I think it does it in a responsible way and I know there's going to be questions that we have as we go through um we are very interested in in entertaining those and having that discussion and dialogue here so just want to thank everybody for their for their openness to to be a part of this process as well. Uh a quick overview for you and then I'm going to turn uh the leadership of the slides over to Christine and then I'll wrap it
003up. Uh but but questions throughout. Um we're going to over the course of this workshop, we're going to give a history of enacted budget dates. We're going to give our revenues to date. You're going to see our expenditures to date. You're going to then take a look at the fund balance and reserve funds. And then we're going to talk about the use of fund balance and reserve funds. All right. Uh from there, we're going to present the budget that is required that the state requires that we have a balanced budget where those expenses and revenues meet. Uh we'll then do a budget-to-budget comparison from last year to well from this year to next year. Uh we'll talk about the next steps and then we'll talk about some of the messaging we'll have throughout the community
004because uh uh Christine will be Christine and I will be going on the road so to speak. uh talking to various PTSA groups um throughout the district uh in the very near future. So uh Christine, thank you for all your your efforts on this. I'm going to talk about that a little bit more later, but uh if you want to start us off um really excited to hear what we have here. >> Okay, so this similar slide like we did last year. Um the New York State lawmakers have passed the third uh budget extender today through Thursday um as they continue to negotiate unresolved issue. So there's a big question mark there for so the revenues. So since um March, the last time we had a budget presentation, our Erie County sales tax check came
005in March 31st, which was about $200,000 higher than March of 2025. So, I felt comfortable adding that extra $150,000 to next year's budget. Um, still making that 5,400,00 miscellaneous. Um, again, the reminder here was the sale of the Boston Valley land, which was a onetime thing, $475,000 last year, offset by When I say last year, this current year is in 26 27 um offset by the potential sale of the maintenance garage. >> We did we did assume that >> we did. >> Yeah. Much like a contract property last year. >> State aid is the same as last time that you saw. The reason that it's an increase, it's not because foundation a that's still 1% at 221,000 it's really building a that's driving that number up and you'll see the flip side of that of
006expenses when we talk about debt service Medicaid I left the same $345,000 preschool and homeless aid um brought it down a little bit because we got that one time um internet um enabled device money um this current school year reserves. We'll get into that in much more detail later on in the presentation. Fund balance $2 million same as last year. It's it's very important to keep that consistent year after year. Interfer didn't change either from last presentation. That's the money from the C fund that the general fund transfers in because we support the department in many many ways. >> The C funds the cafeteria >> cafeteria fund. Can I just ask a question about the Medicaid? I actually just read last night or this morning that this summer um like 40,000 plus New Yorkers are
007going to be kicked off of their health insurance plans based on HR1. So how closely are we following that number so that we can be prepared? >> Did they say it was students or was adults? >> Well, I mean it can be families. So it depends what kind of you know plan they're on. But they were that so many are going to be kicked off and so many more are not going to be able to go on a new insurance plan because they're not going to be able to afford the premium of an essential plan or something else through the So that's why I mean I know that we might not know all of this in terms of dollars and cents but are we watching that because that's so our Medicaid is actually reimbursement of
008um services special ed services to high cost is that just like Do we ever try and bill a student's insurance and then reimburse that way? >> So if if any of our students are kicked off of their current plan that will not >> talk to me about because I read that today and we all thought the impacts of HR1 were going to hit earlier in the year, but I read an article about like 42,000 or 46,000 New Yorkers are going to lose their coverage. That's individuals. That's families. people who are now going to make over the $36,000 income threshold, which is so low. But how will that impact us or will that impact us? Are we I don't say how that would impact us because we're billing for services that we provide and we get
009reimbured for the federal government. It has nothing to do with the students or their families insurance. >> So, >> okay, that that clarified that's that's sort of like my surmise of it. I just don't have that as being like a thing I had read earlier on is that Hok was still going to maintain in her budget if there were gaps that schools wouldn't suffer. Now there is no budget. So yeah um >> but there doesn't seem to be any contention about that fact. >> Not that I know >> in the discussion around the budget at the state level. No. And actually a Nissa email today talked to that right that the lawmakers are kind of all in agreement that we should see the foundation a bump to 2% that all of the Right. So I
010mean it seems like lawmakers are in agreement on that and that just came from this but in their update today. >> Thank you. >> Can I just add one thing too not dollars and cents when we talk about families in healthare through family support center we do provide opportunities for families to get healthare but we help them that way. So to places. So this is just a chart that represents um this current year and then next year for all of the codes 27 and then the current year. So, our expenses, most of these did not change since um last month either. Utilities did go up a little bit based on um revised projections from SPE again that school municipal energy consortium that we belong to with a bunch of other school districts. Um Boseies was
011finalized. Um part of this number is the um the rent, but we're going to get aid on it for the new facility that they're building into um our special ed tuition is going out. That again was the same as last month. I combined them for this slide just because you could see I'm running out of room. Um but TRS is going down to 8.24%. ERS is going up to 17.6%. So the net effect is a is a decrease of $29,000 social security is a function of salary. So that's why it's the same percentage workers comp. I've said this many times but you know bad it's a threeyear look back a bad year came off a good year goes on. So that's why the decrease of $90,000 health insurance we're doing pretty well in our self-funded
012plan budgeting 5% not with the consultants and agree with that. So, here's where the debt service, so our principal and interest payments on our capital project um bonds and bands is going up, but you saw the building a go up as well. Transportation. So, um this came down quite a bit since the March presentation. Um remember I said last month that Fiser was a little behind in their billing. So we cut up through March 31st billing. So um I was able to bring this down a little bit. So in this line is not just what we paid to Fisher bus. There's gasoline for the buses a piece of my salary. Um 50% of our assistant treasure group salary. Some parent contract software for the buses. So for Fisher, what I did was budget based on
013where I think this year's actual is 4%. Because they're renewing at CPI, it's conservative. I think CPI will come in somewhere around 3 and a half%, but I did budget 4% just in case. It's just the way with gas and things like that. It's um I don't know where we're going to be. We don't we don't get the CPI number until June. So I do have to estimate it for the budget because obviously that pass the budget well before then >> it's not going to be more than 4%. >> Oh no I mean >> you said you you budgeted >> you budgeted for okay >> I think it's going to be 3.5 that's where it's trending now but I'd rather over a little bit than under budget for sure. Um, also is the addition of
014two UPK runs since we're adding a full day class, another full day class at Armor. >> So, can we can we pause on the transportation for a second? So, I I looked back at last year's notes, right? And there was the there was the sound bite we were all talking about of Fisher contract was a 20%. >> Right. >> But we that came to us after the budget, >> correct? So it wasn't actually reflected in last year's budget. So I ran the numbers and basically what it amounts to is 10% and about 5% last year for something last year. So it comes out to about 15 and a half sort of accumulated seven and a half% increase over the last two years in transportation. So help me understand how we did that when we were
015talking about a 20% increase based on the RFP responses. Hopefully there's some element of us being conscious and some of it is circumstantial. >> One of the things was the summer the summer contracts um did renew at CPI. So our transportation for special eds in the summer that go to school 12 months only saw the CPI increase not the 20%. So that's a piece of it. Secondly that we are being more efficient. Um I know that it's hard to when you see there's only you know like nine kids on a on a certain bus but you got to look at the time too. But we're doing the best we can and trying to combine as much we can um I do believe that we have even though we still have quite a bit of um
016students in temporary housing um we did have more last year especially at the beginning of the year. The ones that we have now seem to be moving from hotel to hotel or location to location but we're not getting any more in where last year we did see quite a few more. So it's a combination of many things. Um, >> some of it to toot your horn a bit. Sounds like your diligence in chasing them down too. We're also >> we're also taking performance um if they can't do a run and I have to find another provider >> because it's it was in the RFP and they signed off on it and on it whatever we're paying to STA or to another school district. I take it off. >> Can we stick with transportation for a
017minute? Um, and I met with Mr. Adams and he said that you and I actually had a very similar thought. So, knowing that we cannot predict costs, fuel, utilities, all of that, um, but anticipating that they're going to remain high, hopefully not get higher. Um, I love that we are expanding our UPK program, but I do think we need to be looking at cost savings wherever we can. And when it comes to transportation, I know that there is a real desire to keep that access for families. But where are the opportunities there? You know, I had the idea of Charlotte kids, armor kids. Those are kids who already have busing those we have siblings being picked up. Can we put those UPK kiddos on the K5 runs to eliminate runs that way? Save fun that
018way. I think that um and Mr. You had a similar idea and potentially looking at it for the following year. >> My idea to have a consultant do a transformation. I've seen it done before successfully. They have the data. We don't Someone would have to analyze all of the runs and see what could be. >> My concern is waiting the year, not knowing where we're going to be. There are a lot of districts right now cutting positions because the increase in costs, they can't absorb them. And the easiest way for them to be able to pay for that is positions. And I don't want it to get to this time next year and say we got to cut a couple positions because school was way more expensive than we anticipated. It kept going up through
019the fall. Like that's my big concern. So I don't know if nothing else sibling of K through five kiddos at those buildings. We have a bus stopping at that house already send another bus when we could be more responsible with those funs. I feel that we really need to those options for the fall so that when we get to March next year, we're not saying, "Well, we're going to look at it now, but because of a tough year we had, we have to do this." Like, that's what I want to avoid at all costs. >> Why don't I just jump in on that and I certainly appreciate the the facts of the matter that costs are increasing everywhere. That access piece for UPK and you know% is such a key part of those kids coming
020to school and their ability to have the experience at school. Some concerns to that is not only the the limiting of that access and we limit the transportation but another piece of it is that if it prevents us from having students in UBK that possibly takes that number of students who are in UBK down which would be a staff impact too and that's not where that's not where I believe and I think collectively uh in terms of in terms of district leadership that's not where we believe we're we're we're at. Uh I think it'll come through with our conversations about reserves uh that we are in a we are in a in a place where we're we're well poised to absorb uh the cost increases. Not to say that there won't be decisions that we
021have to make with regard to things in future years of it, but right now I think we've offered a we put together a responsible budget that doesn't impact the access to school for students that doesn't talk about staffing that supports our programs in our in our kids. And I think I think that'll come through more as we talk about reserves. I appreciate the idea of looking at things and looking at everything, especially being prepared for possible increases. But I also think that as I take a look at the reserves that have been collected over the past several years, like that increase allows us to be really thoughtful about those decisions and not making a quick decision that would perhaps limit the access to schooling. some of our from our kids who who need it the
022most. That's what that's where I would would go along with that. That's that's what what what I would want to stand on that idea of access with it and the fact that we plan to a degree that we're able to absorb those increased costs. And I'm really happy I got to tell you that 5.9 million that we budgeted for 2526 that was before the supposed 20% increase. Like the fact that you know a 20% increase on 59 puts us over 7 million but we're not at 7 million. We're at 65 now. 600,000 increase. Nobody's raising their hand and like, you know, not get the standing ovation for that. But it is, I think, a measure of like that responsible work and and and working within what we have to be able to have that have
023that hurt less than it could have. So, I just wanted to share that. Does your point about using a consultant, your desire to sort of scrutinize the roots, scrutinize the you know be more efficient, >> does that converge on the on the fleet electrification plan? Like will the fleet electrification plan be that >> no >> granular? No. >> It doesn't get down to they are looking at routes and efficiencies and how far an electric bus can go and all that. They're not looking at who's riding the bus. But they might look at our roots and say this root's too long or too short or whatever. But not it's not going to say that it's inefficient because there's nine kids on it. >> But the but the root analysis piece like that efficiencies that's exactly what
024they're what they're looking at which would impact the the amount of roots that we'd have out there. >> So that's the first step with that stuff. >> Yeah. I I would argue that if you were looking at electrification, a root analysis would definitely make sense, but if you aren't and you aren't, but like probably if you would just said, "Hey, can you do a root analysis for our diesel buses?" They would. But if you were doing an electrification piece, they would do it for an electric bus. Like they're mutually exclusive. I think I I would imagine if you were doing it, they would >> I think a consultant would go above and beyond that. To your point, families or um middle school and high school the same going to the same house but two different
025buses and they're across the street from each other like things like that where there could be more >> something like can we I think everybody's kind of getting at the same we're asking for it is something we can put on the table sooner rather than later >> I would argue a good consultant will say what would you like me to do >> and that I think is what we're going to experience this And that's why, you know, as part of my superintendent report, it's that >> Christine and I and our representative from Fiser are going to be going to an event on June 18th at Erie One, and it's going to be all the the the districts and we're going to be talking transportation. >> Yeah. >> Like that's going to be like the think
026tank with it about how we can input that's both districts like ours who contract out and districts who own their own transportation about trying to find those efficiencies with it. >> That building at the shoulds as well. You have buses going to one location instead of all over the place. >> Yeah. >> With, you know, two or three kids on them. >> I mean, it sounds like there's a lot of good stuff, positive movement happening. I just I worry about getting the time between now and when that starts and making sure that we retain everybody that we have and we are not having to make cuts of people. >> It sounds like what? >> Yeah. >> Dr. Tom, >> go with >> uh it sounds like what Mr. Adams is saying is that the >>
027you were concerned about the short term and he's trying to say we're okay in the next 12 months. >> Yeah. And we're not in the business of talking like that that's like the that's the the last headline that should come from this meeting right here is like what we like that we're we're talking about about staffing of this. Like that's not where we're at like whatsoever. Like that's not it. That's not this conversation. And I know that it's being like that the the discussion about transportation is because we don't want to do that, but we don't have to do either. >> Yeah. >> Right now, like there are things that we absolutely have to take a look at. And this is where I would put on like I want everybody's advocacy hat on. Like as
028another part of my superintendence report is that like that was like we went to Senator Gallin's office and we had his round table with superintendents of the of the districts that he represents and it was like my my pitch is like funding UPK transportation aiding like that is like and and and that was that was met by not just nods from the rest of the table includ and and Senator Gallivan as well. So while I can't say that it's going to come out of this current budget that we're going to see soon it is going to be our talking point. It's going to be the talking about the legislative breakfast on May 2nd. It's going to be the the those will be the types of things that we are bringing up constantly, but I think
029the advocacy piece which I know is so near and dear to the hearts of many like I think that's where that piece can come into >> and we could get a consultant. So that is part of the study that's going on with with so NAERTA and uh it's Wendle whether it's Wendle engineering or not I just call it that but but that's the first phase of that feasibility study to zero emissions that's what's going to be happening this summer >> and it's going to look at the nitty-gritty data >> I get from what I heard today was >> we have one that can do like these can really analyze like how we can maximize putting the buses and then we have the ones that are going to look at the electrification that are not one
030and the same. Can we get the one that's going to look at >> Well, and I would argue that efficiencies are efficiency. So, I think that's what we're going to get out of the it's going to also be about like we got to make sure we don't have roads that are 120 pounds long. >> Well, yeah. >> Like that would be like that would be on the electrification side of things. But I think we can I think we can get I think we can get both out like and that's going to be our push. >> We're going to get the good that's the first step. >> We've got like that's and that's going to be the want to make sure because like when we are sitting here next year at this time I don't want
031to be saying oh we didn't get the consultant that was going to do the details and now we kind of wish we would have >> transportation we know is the priority like the consultant this summer has to be able to give us real information that we can use but also the transportation committee like there's an audit going on this week of ridership and that's going to be the work of the transportation committee to do the comparables between the first audit the second audit for uh when they meet on April 30th so it is top of mind. Uh in the contract, it is very clearly stated that we don't see this being a dominant part of our workday at Hamburg Central because we contract out. Well, that's a dominant part of Christine's work day. Like for
032sure that I just want to know like it's the commitment is there and that's why we see that being 65 rather than seven. I think the I think the trying to summarize the request from the board. If we do the the fleet electrification plan and it and it for some reason is wanting in terms of directing us around efficiency of routes, then I think that they ask is that you bring that to us with potentially a plan to take it a step further, whether it be with a consultant or with Fiser or with whatever the means is that that next step occurs. If that gets brought to the board, I think that would be that's well said. It crystallizes that conversation. >> Can I just shortterm? I know we're talking short-term, long term. Um, one
033of the things we have been talking about UPK was mentioned. I will always advocate for transition for you here, which I think everyone on the board is doing that. Um, but we were going to send something out to the families that just recently got in. Um, obviously we have to transport them, but kind of get a what day are you going to? Are you looking to transport your own kid? So, exactly what we're talking about here to get some more information that might help us tweak a little bit more. So, some of that short-term planning is in the works. So, I think that will answer a little bit as well. >> Maybe on that we have something like older siblings. >> Would you put your on simple things like that that I get it in,
034you know, one or two routes, it might not seem like a lot, but when you start adding up, >> right? Yeah. So, I mean, >> and there may be families that are like, "Absolutely not. Don't you dare put my prek kid because we've gone down that road on a bus with a fifth grader, right? We've been in that. This is their first experience with school." So, um, we've had many years of success with it. But, it's worth asking, right? So, just like you said, if it's one or two and maybe that reduces something. So, that is in the works from the end of it. Um, now that we did the lottery, we have class basically set class list, but who's going where half day? So, I think that will help the shortterm. The only thing
035I want to add to that is that there are repairs of car seats and that would slow up the K to five bus too if you have. So there's so much to look at. I just think that you know we're taking a big number to our community and asking them to to pass it. So I think for them to see that we are looking for ways to, you know, reduce that overall number. We need you to adopt this budget because this is where we're at right now. But it doesn't mean the work stops for the next so many months before the year starts. >> Start behind that bus in front of legal learning. >> Oh yeah. >> Yeah. 20inut ordeal is sure is just be there after December 1st. It's way less >> you only
036have. >> Okay. And the last line on here is contractual and other. Um this is basically going up because of a couple of things. Um supplies are going up 50,000. Our legal fees are going up and that's because um we have some contracts that are um going to expire and so we use you know legal services for negotiations. So that's a piece of it as well. Um and then you'll hear later why We want this tax cert reserve fund, but also then the property tax refund is up $110,000 in this one and we'll talk about that later. So the total proposed budget 9381431 which equals the total proposed revenues the change is 4.87%. And then here again the expenditure chart is the budget upcoming budget. Blue is the current year for all of the expenditure
037items. So let's talk about fund balance and return. So um our unrestricted fund balance is 4% of the budget. So that at the end of June 30th 20 25 yes um that is 4% of what the 2526 budget is budget was 89 88 9.995 so when we're looking at um what what we have in reserve funds as of March 30th bar to the right where we were at the end of June for ERS um 962 195 some interest income. So at the end of March 990,000 TRS teachers retirement system 800,000 some interest or 822 um unemployment. So later on in the regular meeting we're going to ask you to consider opening the U reserve fund but funded from the unemployment reserve fund. So that's just going to be a transfer of bringing down the unemployment
038um reserve fund from 107 um well with interest to 11,456 and then opening the tax reserve at $100,000 employee benefit liability this is for vacation time retirement um that has 24,000 and then our capital reserve fund which is expiring at June 30th, 2026 has 1.6 over 1.6 billion in it. Um, it was established in 2016 with the 10 years no more than$10 million plus interest. And then our debt service is umion. So this is where we are at March 31st 6,67398. Um well I'll wait till I get to the next when I talk about um the reserve. So again the balance budget 93 million 281431 in revenues and expenses. Okay. So I want to spend some time on this side. Again, I I mentioned earlier $2 million that should be consistent as consistent as possible
039year after year. So, the use of um restricted reserve funds. Here's the detail. 200,000 from EBR employee benefit liability, 300 from the employees retirement system, 274600 from the teachers retirement system. Use that 100,000 that was from unemployment into the tax reserve fund and then 600,000 from debt service reserve fund. The debt service reserve funds must be used to pay principal and interest payments on your bonds in advance. You are not supposed to be stockpiling money. They're set up for that purpose and the auditors and the state controllers's office want you to use it. So, we have our um consultants capital markets a planned use of them. Now when we go to market at the end of May to borrow the next ban, we won't get a premium which will go back into the debt service
040reserve fun. So, I would not look at that one the same as the other ones because we're going to use it, but we're going to replenish it, but you're supposed to use it. We're going to use some more the following year and then also get another premium the following year until it goes to bond and then you can use it for the next project or if you need to help the budget, use it to pay some pay down some debt. So um I would look more as it was like using from our savings account to balance the budget. Just wanted to make that distinction. Now at the end of each school year we have a surplus. You don't want to you know budget so tightly that you're going to go into the red. And so
041anything um above and beyond the 4% of the appropriate unappropriate assigned unappropriate fund balance would go back into these reserve funds. So it's not like we're going to use these and they're gone just like last year if you remember after the audit you guys approve transfers to increase these reserves. The same thing will happen at after the audit of the 2526 So I think >> so it's not like these are going to be totally you know depleted and not brought back up. >> Right. So and I just want to make this is how like in your explanation of it to me and my my learning with it. You're diminishing you're not depleting and then you're replenishing. So let's take the employee benefit and acrewed liability reserve. So that's roughly running at a billion at the
042end of this year. Like that's our forecast for it. Okay. So that runs at a million. We're setting aside 200,000 of that. But in the back of our mind, we're and I shouldn't say in the back of our mind, what we know is at the end of the year when the audit closes the books on it, there will be a level of surplus. That's how districts are able to build up reserves and our reserves will our our our surplus will be such that we're planning on putting that $200,000 right back into Empire, right back into that employee benefit, the crude liability reserve. Like that's the idea behind that. The same is true and we might not get all of it, but the same is true with retirement funds too. The idea of taking what's left
043over in that surplus and then building up that employee retire that ERS and TRS. Remember the ERS is for the non-eing non-eing staff retirement program and sometimes we group it together all as one as retirement. But so that's the and and you'll be able to see that. you'll be able to see what those recommendations are because you'll be acting on that this summer when the auditors close the books on the year and they make the and we make our recommendations about where that money should go in terms of reserve. I know it's a catch to see reserves being used, but I feel they're being used appropriately and they're being used in a way that we were not we're not depleting anything. As a matter of fact, we feel like we're going to be able to
044restore them to to a large >> So, for the good of the order. You and I talked about this earlier, but the intent is that to balance the books and make sure that we're doing it responsibly, but the intent is always to make sure that >> we keep this up. Like we're we're going to like restore it as much as we can because that is what we anticipate. >> These each one of these accounts is going to be brought back. This is a a cyclical thing that >> that's a commitment. a commitment to bring it back to where it needs to be and continuously bring it. We are making we're making these choices strategically >> even though this is not everyone's favorite way to do it, but this is the best way to do it.
045>> That's what that's what I believe, right? That's what I'm putting forth to you. Abs. Absolutely. >> Um and as I kind of mentioned to you before, I think that that seems reasonable. Though I would admit that if this became a pattern like year after year this is the strategy that seemed more concerning. >> The concerning part would be if we didn't replenish >> the reserves to this tune and then did it again. >> That's what I mean is that we keep seeing a pattern of reserve not quite not and it it does this pattern of >> year after year. There's >> so I just want to make that I wish I had a visualization. That's how I think. But um that I just want to >> I saw your graph. Yeah, I think I
046get that. Like I really do. And I don't mean to make to make light of it. I'll tell you like I spent a little bit of time looking at the controller site which is like which allows you to see >> um districts that are susceptible to fiscal stress which was a list that we have been on before >> and that's the that's the lowest of the labels. There's the moderate, there's the severe, but we were a few years ago and and that changed from 2023 when we were saving like roughly 2% in terms of unassigned fund balance to be able to see these several years in a row now of being able to save 4%. Which is the limit that you can save to see that that's been that that has been true that that
0474% is safe. That's the same thing we're going to do this year. and to see that the reserves have steadily increased. Yes, they're used at times. >> Yeah. >> And there's some years where they're not used at all, but the the the replenishment, as as Cam said, that that's the key. Replenish and and grow as we see what we have to work with at the end of the summer when the audits >> and and you're right. I I am more concerned about replenishment. You're supposed to use money. You should not hoard it. That is pointless and not useful. Um but yeah, as long as we are continuously replenishing um and don't make a habit of using it and not replenishing it year after year and really great. >> That's truly the value of the oversight
048that you're providing. >> And that's another point you didn't mention, right? We've been pretty conservative in our state budget estimates, right? So any extra dollars we get, >> right, >> come right off. we're going to use this either. This is just >> wouldn't that be great? >> If this is just to balance the budget, we may not need to use >> and that's why we have the roll over the two million of the unassign it hasn't touched, >> right? >> That's something and and one thing I was I because I was a little concerned with the amount of assign So I kind of went back to 2020 to see what our assigned balance was then and it was last statements was the assign was 3.3. So now we're at 6.2 but if we use this
049we're going to bring it down to 5.2 audit statements. So I mean to the point it's something that needs to be continually watched but you look at trend the trend is overall positive. So budget to budget um our operating budget again 931431 is a 4,331476 increase from this current year or 4.87% um for the allowable tax levy limit is 46 million18245 which is 3.48% Um that's our limit. It does not require so voters. Last year just to put in perspective um our limit which we went to was 3.7%. So it's it's less than we'll adopt the budget later on in this meeting. budget later on this meeting. Um, and then have the budget hearing on Tuesday, May 12th. This slides a little bit different as we're going to the park budget ad. >> And here's
050here's the road show May 16. That's the Saturday before the budget vote. Uh, there will be representatives from this very table. and more tent Saturday, May 16th from 7:30 to noon. Uh getting the word out there. Uh our PTSA budget presentations are are planned for for Charlotte is to be Thursday at 4:45 at Armor 5:30. Middle school at 6. I'm going to try to make it to the National Honor Society induction ceremony. We'll see how that goes. Uh then Eden Pleasant and uh the high school will be April 23rd. May 6th and then the district PTSA will be and this is what your budget vote and board of elections will look like for us. Uh and that's uh Tuesday feeling like that's May 19th. >> You are correct. >> Sorry. >> That's right. No, I'm
051sorry. I should not be blocking on you. So, uh don't say everything on your mind. Uh proposition one 2627 budget uh improved 93 million281431 proposition two this is the establishment of the new capital improvement reserve. This is not something that costs to do. This is a place to put some of that reserve that surplus money to be able to help us with our capital project. All right. So one started in 2016. There's a 10-year limit on that and a $10 million limit on that. So that one is still in existence. But we if we're going to save more money, we need to start this new one and we need voter approval for that. Uh and then of course the board of education seats and election for members of the board shall be held to fill
052two at large positions for three years commencing July 1, 2026 through June 30th, 2029. And one member of the board commencing immediately after the election and expiring on June 30th, 2028. So before we continue, just because I saw some families file in, you you're not late for anything. We're finishing our budget discussion, so we'll finish that and then we'll start the regular meeting. Um but any questions from the board? Other questions from Okay, seeing no further business, I will look for a motion to adjourn this meeting. Move by Tom, second by Ashley. All in favor? >> All opposed? Meeting is at 6:45. Does anyone need a minute? Right into the next Are you good? >> You guys ready to go? >> Okay, with that, we'll roll right into the the regular meeting. So, we'll call
053the meeting to order. Again, if you could please stand and join me in the pledge. >> Just me, right? just we don't have any uh helpful helpful young to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic which stands one nationice be seated. >> All right. Thank you for your patience. Uh, can I have a motion to approve the agenda for the April 20, April 14th rather board of education meeting as presented? >> So moved by Mary. >> Second by Ashley. Ashley, sorry. >> All in favor? >> Opposed. Agenda is approved. I will pass it off to Mr. Adams right away for some recognitions. >> Wonderful. Over break. Uh and actually before that uh we we had had the thought to uh to honor some folks that uh that have had they
054they've earned their honor long ago, but we thought we'd bring them in here so we could recognize them in front of everybody. And I think uh the three awardees and I think we only have two of the awardees here tonight, but uh um they really represent some of the things that you support as a board and I know you support the uh what goes on in classrooms all the time. you support what goes on in terms of how to get kids to and from school and how to feed them. There's a lot of other things that go on as well. I would like to introduce you all to Jacob Rzudo. If you could come forward, please. I want to say hi to Christian, too. How are you, sir? It's good to see you. Coach, can
055you join us up here? I don't I didn't talk with Mr. worth about this beforehand, but I've not seen him shy at being able to express himself. He suffered from a similar affliction. How are you? I'm fine. How are you? >> Very good. Uh so we got uh myself and uh a few of us got an email from from Mr. Worth not too long ago, more towards the beginning of the school year. Uh and it was about the competitive sport that Jacob plays. Can you tell us what that is? >> He plays Mad Man FL. All right. So he's on the esports team and he does a tremendous job. So, we got invited. Correct me if I'm wrong on this. This was the regional final. Is that the one that I showed up to? Was
056the regional final. So, covering the eastern seabboard, right? Pretty remarkable. Were you there, Marian? >> I was. >> You were there. Right. Jordan, were you there? >> Yes, I was. >> Christian, were you there? >> Yes. Absolutely. Unbelievable stuff. Uh to see like to see the level of skill that you have. Um just like it was an honor to watch you in action and to see the place that has supported by our board of education vision of brand tell us a little bit about coach sports don't mind at all uh it's mostly about supporting them as kids because I've gotten older so it's mostly about watching was amazing in order to get to the regional final play at home. We weren't that time to get to that win at like a last second. He scored
057like an 83 yard touchdown to take the lead at the end of that game to get him to the next stop and then yeah make it to the finals is amazing. And then he was invited to all the regional Super Bowl. So it's like an NFL sponsor of the folks that he's around. Certainly want to read the certificate and then we're going to have J family. So here's certificate recognition. We are proud. We are proud we proudly present Jake Pursu tremendous example uh of effort leading to achievement on the hamburger. It's almost like you got an eye for this stuff. Yeah. Yeah. Right here. >> There you go. All right. Next, I have Abby Early. Come on up. Right now, all this attention focused directly on you. So Abby, so look at these folks. These
058are these are board members here. But uh so so Abby uh just you know New York State champion. No big deal. No big deal. We'll talk about too much. Right. Can you tell us a little bit about uh about your sport and what you did at states? Third all around. Third all around. New York STATE ARMOR. I charge something. >> Uh suffice to say, it's been a pleasure coaching Abby for the years. >> She is one of the highest level of gymnas that we've had in Amber. She holds uh number one spot in all the top 10 except for one. Um and like she said, she took third place uh in the allaround. I've got my little note sheet sheet sheet here. Uh third, she tied for third on both at the state competition. six
059place on bars at the states, fourth place on balance, third place all around. Like I said, she is the easiest gymnast that I have ever coached at this level. And she just makes it easy. She she talk she she comes in and she solves her problems at the state meet. She had to water down her routine actually because he's at a higher level at club. So she had to water it down. And I can see her on balance be at practice. She's like, "I forgot what I did." I'm like, "Oh god, I got to pull it up." She's like, "Oh, get it." Perfect. >> Made my job just so much easier. She's been a pleasure and you do amazing work and your coaching staff's pretty remarkable. I know I know we're not looking for for
060a plank there, but just like so many of the great teachers in the world, they're like, "Oh, I just have great kids." Well, there's a little bit here. So, I just want to read this to you and then I want to invite my friends from the middle school drop off zone. You guys want to come out for a picture as well. Uh so we're proud to present Abigail Berlin certificate of recognition for a tremendous example of leading to achievement on behalf of this proud represent excellence that is a hamburgath logo as well. Kayla will guide you and I'll just standing and posturing. All right. Thank you guys. Uh and we also had a third uh uh student uh who we're going to award tonight. It's Alex Tober. He's a wonderful kid, senior at Hamburg High
061School. I will deliver this to him. Uh Al, it was like project runway out of Salvatore last week. Uh he's going to fashion design uh program at Erie one Boseies. We got a certificate for him. We'll make sure that he gets that as well. It was an absolute celebration of the kids work and creativity and Alex was uh he was first among equals out there. It was an amazing amazing event and again another thing that is supported by certainly our our taxpayers and our staff and by our board of education as well. >> Thank you for that. Thank you, Mr. >> Well, I think you can keep rolling because we're going to move into the capital project. >> You might as well come on up. >> That's right. >> Sean Palen, everybody. All right. So,
062you've already done your uh you've handed out your your items for us, right? >> Yeah. Format's a little different. >> Okay. >> All right. Sean, thanks for being here. >> Real quick, just pictures. Top left corner. Obviously the undercess. >> So we're looking at the pleasant odd right here. Right. It's always challenging to take in um financial reports that 1.6 million cost change. >> I did. If you could just explain them. So, hardware, curtains, and a cover base, whatever that is. >> Yeah. So, the hardware, you'll notice the hardware. >> Yeah. What we did was wanted to change. >> So that's that's the upcharge on the difference. building. Is that right? Okay, that's just Thank you. while there This is photos. We we anticipated that crawl space. So just because I'm curious what that's concrete
063that you're where is that and you're just digging down. We're not worried that >> scary like I'm not mad about it. I'm just >> Can that be like So is the idea we're just going to clean this dirt, put it all back, and like or we're going to actually use it as a has been done. So now >> I love that. quickly today. Uh, we'll go to section D, information items. So, let me just pull that up. Make sure I don't miss anything. Um, all right. So, first is board briefings. That was just from our last meeting. Items for information. There was actually nothing in there. Future board of education meetings. We're back here next week at Armor at 6:30. Uh that'll be for some things usually um meetings, workshops and reservation reservations. Um there
064was a couple things coming up that I had noted. Um oh the twist on tech. So that was the opportunity to see the post facilities. If everyone was interested in that, that's a good chance to do that. Um a legislative breakfast on May 2nd. Interesting. You go to that both of those things. >> Don't love that it's on Saturday morning. >> Um, and then I also noted the convention next year. They've started advertising that. That's Buffalo. So, opportunity for more of us to participate. talk about as probably >> um next is item D5formational budget transfers and then finally D6 report and committee reports. So we will start with not max >> Christian Christian >> you guys are going to be seeing a lot more me next year >> I just got it president >> all
065right >> you want to go to Albany next year >> how would you like to go to Albany >> yes >> take a train you can You're taking a train. >> Cardia. Cardio. Yes, you'll get a lot of work done in the train. >> All right. That's that's the running the running game. >> All right. I got a kind of a lot of updates. Um, so this past March, we had Bald for Bucks, which went incredibly well. Had a ton of teachers get high in the face. Made a lot of money for charity. Sadly, not our 15,000 goal. >> I had nothing. Like I was ready to go. >> You ready? I would. >> Uh, but in total, we made $14,259.17. >> That was so close. >> You could have just called me. I would
066have >> right. >> No, who you should have called was Dave. That's who you should have called. Who am I talking about? >> All right. Sorry. Please continue. We got um total of 80 inches of hair which is about six and a half feet of hair. Uh an interesting little tidbit since we started doing vulture box we have now raised $180,000 2 $180,21521. >> Uh like I mentioned earlier student government elections just took place. I'm president. Addison Kirchberger is our vice president. Our treasurer is Lachland Davis. Our corresponding secretary is Justin Kratz. And our recording secretary is Ellie Board. Uh but that's for student government. Our class elections are going to be happening sometime over the next month. We're actually discussing at our meeting tomorrow. Uh there are a lot of upcoming events. I mean
067there there's the musical there that is going to be happening on May 1st and 2nd. Um you guys know what the musical is this >> near dear to my heart. >> We're going to be discussing teacher appreciation week at our meeting tomorrow. So hopefully we'll do maybe some spirit day, some gift to the teachers. We're thinking about it. National Honor Society induction is this Thursday. Myself is going to be inducted. It's going to be a lot of fun. Uh spring sports have been going great. I know the base baseball team actually just went to Tampa, I think, for one of their travel meets. Uh then our senior brunch is also coming up, which we have a lot of seniors graduating this year. a lot of planning. Uh not a personal note, uh I uh have
068been working on a system that is actually going to get launched this week. It's called petitions and it's a student petition system where students can submit their own ideas which will be reviewed by the student government and our adviserss and the administration. lecture security and then students can vote on them to see if they want that to happen in the school. I think it's a good way to get more students involved in student government and just to expand our involvement in the student body. >> Brilliant. And this was your idea or >> uh it's actually Yeah, I got it while I was touring RIT actually. >> They have a similar system over there called their student government set up. So >> did you come up with the name politicians? It's super clever. We could talk
069about this in Albany with your lawmakers. You should love this. >> Oh my god, they get up. >> What is this? >> So February, >> it's it's in February and it's lobby day. You go and basically like just try to meet as many politicians in our district as possible and just tell them like this is important to us and you should listen and and you just pitch you just pitch it. >> But there were two students from Alden there this this most recent um February and I mean, they were so incredible. One was similar to you launching a program that she wanted to see more schools adopt so that more kids could have access. So, this is I mean, I'm pushing because I think I want Hamburg to shine and I think this is amazing.
070But I think, you know, you are making a difference where you live and sometimes people don't take the kids seriously and we need to take the kids seriously because you guys way better than I was. >> Yeah. just gets practice like putting yourself in front of people and like pitching yourself, pitching your pitching what is important to you and and honestly how important that is like getting things done just pitching the idea. >> We'll keep you posted. >> Thanks. >> Welcome to your first official, I guess, particip I know you've been here before, but now you're you're part of group. So, welcome. So, I guess we'll go to move to board updates and I'll jump over to Mary this time. >> Bam. Bam. I don't actually have much to say. Uh, so I will keep
071it brief. Um, I didn't really participate in anything since the last time you were here. Uh, I did read the NISPA resolutions survey. Uh, first of all, periods, did any of you take the NISPA resolution survey? >> Seems like almost nobody in county. >> I did. >> I figured it was you. >> I feel like I get off. Uh I >> like one of the districts responded. >> Uh yeah, 6% uh of uh >> one out of 19. >> Yeah, it was not a lot. >> Uh so I'm currently I think you and I are currently representing Erie County. >> Uh so go Bulldogs. Um but I was reading through it. Uh and right now we are being it is currently over represented by uh Long Island. So I want you to keep that in
072mind. Um, so this is me gently shaming that everyone should be taking the survey so that we are better represented by NISPO when they are advocating for us. Um, uh, it really worked well for Jimmy Carter when he gently shamed the nation. But, uh, I am going to say by filling out the survey and and saying something, it's how you get the priorities in this advocating for us. um as someone I think you've been a delegate before, right? >> I have. >> And you know how fun that is. Um but it is very important. Um and it makes sure that the things that are important to us get priority. Um so I'm just going to say that we we can do better than 6%. Um so that being over um I also learned that April
073is children of military families month which I had never heard of until I read the newspaper. um as a children of military families. Uh shout out to them. I read that it was 30% of children of military families suffer from some sort of psychological uh concern when their parents are when one or more parent is uh deployed. Uh probably yeah that I probably fell under that. Um, I know we don't have necessarily a lot of military children in our district because they are kind of close to Niagara Falls, but I will say one thing I would keep in mind of parents or children of military families, uh, they often experience many districts in their lifetime. And as someone has experienced, this is a great district. But going district to district means sometimes you're ahead, sometimes
074you're behind through no fault of your own. So keep that in mind when you are dealing with your your kiddos. They are great kiddos. They're just they're just all over the place sometimes and they don't need it. They can't help it. Um so I thought that was an interesting shout out. And finally, I would be remiss if I didn't uh announce that the return of bike bus is happening. The uh beginning of next week. So, Monday, I'm gonna be starting the bike bus again. Me and Cat Walsh uh like to ride our bikes. So, if you have a kid at Union Pleasant who wants to ride their bikes and you want to ride with them, you should join us. We are riding our bikes to Union Pleasant Mondays, every other Monday till the end of
075the school year. Um, so I was able to attend family reading night. That was so great. Megan Malbert is just such a treasure and we're so lucky to have her. She's put so much effort and energy and just passion into everything she does. So that was an incredible night. Uh, my kids were so lucky to be there. I got to see so many kids from around the district. Everyone was eating crepes and it was so great. So, um, huge shout out to Mrs. Moberg and the effort and time she put into that event. It was absolutely incredible. Um, I was able to go to the middle school meet raffle. That was super fun. I was in charge of 50/50 again. Numbers were down from last year, but I think it was tough the weekend before
076break. It had to be moved. Um, but all of the energy and effort put in by Lyn Mason to make that possible so that we can have many grants middle school. I think that's so important. Um, middle school is such an amazing time and before we went on our spring break trip, we were able to go and catch a sneak peek of 8th grade DC. Um, we went a day early, did some sightseeing of our own, but we saw those buses and those teachers and Mr. Lowour exploring DC. Um, which that's such a great experience. I love that on our very long ride to Florida after that, my eighth grader talked so much about the monuments and what the tour guide was telling them we've been to DC and we looked at it all and
077he was very upset that we didn't share information like these tour guys did because that was the best part. So, he got so much out of it. I hope the other kids did and thank you to all the people that put the time and effort to make that possible because that is a labor of love and that's a long bus ride. Um, a couple of just things that I am working on that I wanted to give an update on. I love that we highlight the kids who are really excelling in their individual areas, gymnastics, esports, because I think that, you know, while we have kids who excel um academically, I think it's really important that we give them other outlets that they can, you know, their talents and find other kids and adults who share
078the same passions. Um, something that I am taking on because I want to see more put into that is it takes a village 5K. That's something that I have going on. running again June 6th. Um all of the money that's raised from that goes back into the district for extracurriculars, clubs, sports. Um any adviser who runs anything can request funding. Um but it's just I think it's really important that we continue to put resources into those things that really bring our kids joy and where they might connect with school when maybe they don't connect in another way. Um, and then finally, um, the final update I got is for Bulldog Run Club. So, this is something that I started last year when Boys on the Right track closed its doors because I didn't want, um,
079my kids that I ran with that I coached to lose that opportunity. So, we are running. Charlotte Avenue has two teams. Uh, Union Pleasant has two teams. I think we're going to have a team in Boston and we're hoping to put one together at Armor. Last year, we had 97 kids. We have 141 kids who want to run this year, and that's just in grades three through five. There is a real desire to have structured programming like this at the elementary level. I really want to see this become something that we can offer at every building. Um right now it's all volunteers who are coaching and giving their time and they're just amazing. But all these kids will run and it takes a village 5K. We start practices next week. It's super exciting that we
080we see the the will is there and we have people stepping up to make it >> um as usual I don't have any report because Mary and Jess my committees but um >> you can still >> I know I know but that's no but that's why I was in Florida the last three and a half weeks but it's either here or there but Boston Valley is a Disney is so proud to be a Disney musical in school stage connect participant thanks to the Hamburg school music boosters for finding this opportunity and helping this year's production of the Aristocrat kids become a reality. Um so you know another thing that the music boosters have done for our schools that committee does such a great job uh you know whether the teachers make requests um for you
081know musical instruments or however whatever they need putting on programs and everything else and you know it's just a it's only you know I think it's only three years old or or so and they just do such a great job. So I just wanted to shout out piggy back on that. You can help support music by getting your membership. >> All right. So, since last time um we're scheduling a building visit, we're looking at May to come soonish. >> Yeah. Like let's lock in. >> They're good for They're good for any of the dates that works for both. I'll look up what you >> I don't have anything from PTSA like we have so many there's so much going on every so that is pretty wonderful I also attended the meat raffle I saw Jess
082there I was not I was It was a good even I also was able to attend strategic planning. It was great to see everybody in one place from so many different groups that make up Hamburg. So the stakeholders were there and it's interesting to hear. I try not to talk a lot. everybody else had to say for the most part and looking forward to the next meeting and seeing how did you get dates? >> Uh yeah, May 12th is what we put down which is a board meeting but like that's >> one day >> was 12th 13th 14th you would respond back to 12th I don't know if that works >> anybody not able to do May 12th That might be a no for me. But >> about the next day, >> the 13th. Yeah,
083I'd rather have >> Thanks. confirm the time that morning session >> yeah high school last year we didn't >> but but I think this is a morning request >> more energy in the schools we can make that work right >> as long as you're not there we'll wake up a little bit all right so that's all for me >> all right thanks Ashley u so I'll go last uh also joined in strategic planning Um, I thought it was great. I'm actually going to highlight something and it's not just because he's here. Um, but we talked about a couple things that I I thought were very interesting really around the portrait of a graduate which has always been a bit confusing to me. Um, so it's starting to come together what that means. But the highlight
084for me was actually Mr. Worth and and Mrs. Mason talking about portrait of an AI graduate and what that looks like. If I could paraphrase, it's um it's really about, you know, with the speed that that's evolving is are we are we demonstrating agility in the way we're adjusting to that and are we creating that same agility in our students with the way they're adjusting to it. So, um it was very interesting perspective on on Mr. Earth and his dinosaur research from when he was 10 and how that changed to to today and how you might research uh something similar and how AI can be a great learning tool if we if we teach the kids how to use it. Um on the IDA, we've had a number of meetings on the IDA land development
085corporation front. Really nothing new. Um all the deals I' I've teased before are progressing. We have that South Park project where we're purchasing the building in front of the town hall. the the old chamber building which going to make that a little business complex, the Lakeshore Gateway building next to the Gateway building um and then some industrial buildings on on Jeffrey and Riley. I also had an opportunity to tour the feed more facility because IDA um helped give some incentives to feed more and it it was I mean it was impressive on a lot of levels. Just the building itself was super impressive and it's not like a super automated building. It's not like a an Amazon warehouse where stuff's moving around, but just the sheer sort of scale and scope when you think about
086it being filled to the rafters with food. Um, and it was sort of humbling. There was, you know, a very conscious design in the architecture around rooms for grieving and like why is it rooms for breathing and it's because of the stress that working in a facility like that puts on the workers and volunteers things you get exposed to going to people's homes. So, it was a very humbling sort of moment on the tour and it was something I'm proud of that we helped, you know, that facility and it's a lot of times those, you know, putting a food bank in your community is is in inappropriately seen as a negative. Um, you know, I think this is um and then I just have a number of upcoming meetings. Uh, the policies meeting tomorrow. We
087also have finance and facilities committees. So, next week >> and then finance academy that scholarship is approaching one of my favorite times to interview there's 22 students applying for the scholarship so we'll be interviewing them next week one of the highlights for me service that's all for me right with that we'll pass Mr. Adams and hear report from superintendent >> no thank you appreciate great to hear from everybody uh it really is uh certainly not the conclusion of anything tonight but It feels a little bit like a good time to to share just how blessed I can to be surrounded by a team uh team at at district office uh team here in the audience as well in all of our schools too. Uh over break gave me a good a good amount of time
088to to give pause and thanks uh on that. um strategic planning as Ashley mentioned. Uh that's a that's a that's a sort of a remarkable time uh to see people that I know and I get to work with every day leading others in learning and all these staff members, community members, and the engagement, the conversation that happens. You feel like uh I feel like a bit of the family dog when I come in because I'm usually doing my greeting at the door thing because that's how I get my nervous energy out. Uh I come upstairs and everybody's talking and it's just like it's just a place you want to be. You just want to let people talk. Just want to be in that same space where everybody is engaging and interacting and that doesn't come
089uh that only comes through sincere work together. And that's what I see as strategic planning. Uh the you know the the planning that that Colleen does that Brent does. um with it the the work that Kaitlin does to to put it all together and uh and and the videos that that Kayla puts together and Christine's efforts on on budget and Jen Barker's role there and you know for me I got to sit at a table with representatives from Charlotte and I got to have those conversations as we talked about uh various attributes of uh not only our strategic plan but portrait of graduate how they mesh and like just the the desire the spark of conversation in the afternoon that never happens in professional development to my experience when I'm the when I'm the learner
090there and that's exactly what was what was happening. So just super proud to be there and and causes me to be even more thankful for for what I get to do every day. Um I mentioned before that we had the round table with senator state senator Patrick Alivan who came out to Iriccoy central. We met uh several superintendents and I and you know as I said before my uh my individual push was the idea of the uh you know the aid for UPK transportation and about how important that is. We also talked about uh aid for the the real like the work that districts are doing for folks who are experiencing temporary uh homelessness and ideas of like other things that we've been talking about forever which is the capital outlay projects and how the
091idea of increasing that from 100,000 to 250 and the clamoring for more foundation aid. I I put my my my best Dave Vine impression and just went Foundation 8 hard um with it and and and Senator Gavin was great with it. Like he he wants to hear that and and the the the hope is that uh that that we see some some good responses from that. But it's interesting to you know there is a political nature part of uh of my position uh that is not something that I was particularly accustomed to uh going into it and and learning that and and being a contributor that makes me feel uh like I'm I'm being part of the work. Um want to thank Christine for all the work on on the budget and the way Brett
092and Colleen uh have worked with their areas of responsibility to bring forth what you saw here here tonight. Uh I love seeing that as the years from when we were at that fiscal stress level of those changes with what we're saving in the unassigned fund balance with the fact that reserves are growing. Uh that makes me feel awfully awfully proud to be part of that. I also great to come back to school and to see some some subtle improvements but eye catching nonetheless. as we walk into Armor today and I got to see for the first time the screens that are on the uh the vinyl wraps that are on the uh the windows as you come into Armor which a lot of our other schools have a little bit of as well. Uh the
093business wing at the high school uh business hallway has the same look to it. The gymnasium pads, the wall pads have been uh have been reimagined at the at the high school. Uh as you walk into the cafeteria hallway at in the middle school, you can see the changes there. It's just those those ever increasing changes to make things better. Uh there is no standing still. Uh with regard to how we can how we can improve things. I I mentioned a little bit about the meeting on June 18th. Um transportation discussions that we're having are transportation discussions that are h have that are happening in other districts as well. The specifics might change u but transportation is on the minds of everyone which is why we're going to be getting together on June 18th. I'm
094thankful for most to try to put that together. and Christine and I are are excited about being being part of that and seeing what solutions we can we can find there uh as well. Uh just a couple other things. Um, I spoke about the idea that Christine and I will be on our PTSA road show. And I second last thing, uh, if you will, uh, penultimate here. Um, Brent Jordan and Lisa Battershell are going to be part of a phenomenal webinar tomorrow afternoon. Uh, it's being plastered all over Niscus, which is my, uh, state organization, New York State Council of School Superintendent. But they're going to be talking about something called forms and flows, which is the the re-imagined name of what we all still refer to as Aparoo. Uh, and if you've got uh
095any any work with the students at Hamburg uh Hamburg Central, you know, Aparoo, that was where uh during the during the 2021 school year, I believe that was where we said we're feeling good uh each day hopefully. Uh and there's also where uh where where student registration takes place now. and sports registration takes place. Uh Brent and his team have been really forerunners of using that and they are going to be speaking. I can't wait for 2 o' 3 o' I can it's gonna be exciting tell I'll send you the link. Uh so we're we're uh excited about that too. And uh a week from tomorrow is administrative professionals day. There was a time in my life when administrative professionals day meant that the person who ran the sunshine club at New Fate Middle School
096thought it meant it was my day. Uh it's not in any way, shape, or form. So I want to thank Brandy who's here not looking at me. Uh but uh but Brandy is uh as the the the secretary who does just a wonderful work in my office and for all of us here. Uh and we've got there we are we are filled with folks who do uh amazing work in that role. So we'll be remembering them as we head to this season of of honoring various folks in our district. So thanks for that. Thank you Brandy. >> Thank you Brandy. >> And thank you. Happy birthday a week and a day late birthday too. >> All right. Now we'll move into our business items. So I will move to consent items F and G. Um,
097looking for any requests to withdraw a specific item from the consent agenda for individual consideration. Hearing none, I will look for a motion to approve all consent items F2 through G4. It's moved by Tom, >> second by Jess. Any discussion? >> I would love to wait one because we just did H, right? >> It's in there. It's >> Yes, exactly. You want to approve? >> So, I'm going again. Not Flynn. Man, this is like >> All in favor? >> I >> All opposed. Motion passes. Mr. Adams, is there anything you would like to say? >> Remarkably observant. I Yes. So, I I messed this up last last month, too. But, uh I surf retirements. We want to want to thank these school related professionals uh who who have submitted their retirement, which we just approved.
098Theresa Black uh who's a a remarkable cleaner. Sue Brown custodian who uh who miss Miss Miss dearly. Shane Quinnland who has been just doing uh more than Yman's work for us throughout the district for decades and uh has been serving with Joe Camp in that uh in that lead role as well. Kathy Selby uh her her retirement uh has now been approved as district treasurer just a a remarkable person to work with. Last week uh last month rather uh I neglected to mention Debbie Olmstead. Uh I didn't go to the uh the right section. So I want to acknowledge Debbie. She is uh uh she is uh administrative professional at Boston Valley. Uh but I met her when during my uh during my years as athletic director because she was in that office for a
099time before she went to Boston Valley and she was just a a great a great help to me and we'll we will miss them all. I want to thank them for their work. >> There are some big names. >> We are got some higher >> Y. Thank you for that. >> Okay. Um, so then we will move to items H, uh, H1, the revised 20 2526 school year calendar. Can I have a motion to approve the revised 202526 school year count? Moved by Tom, >> second by Ashley. Discussion. All in favor? >> All opposed? Passes. H2 2020 627 school board meeting. And I have a motion that the schedule for the 27 board of education meeting be approved. Noting that any changes or additions will be posted on the district office message board in the
100admin building and on the district web page by Jessley. >> Discussion all in favor. >> All opposed motion passes big one. Can I have a motion that the proposed 2627 budget in the amount of 93,281,431 be adopted and presented to the voters of the Hburg Central School District as Proposition One on May 19th, 2026. So moved by Tom, second by request. Any discussion? I no I >> I motion passes. H4. Can I have a motion to the publication of the 2020 motion to the publication of the 202627 property tax report card pursuant to the regulations of the commissioner of education. Jess by Ashley. Discussion. All in favor? >> All opposed. Motion passes. Tax certary fund. Can I have a motion to authorize the creation of a taxiary too many hours fund for the district by
101Tom? >> Second by Jess. Any discussion we can do some of these. >> I'm gonna I'm gonna give the I'm going to give the background. Christine's going to come in and relieve for me. Uh uh so each year with assessments, we have a line item established in our budget already to pay for those assessments challenges that come back in the favor of a property owner to reduce that. So we have that we have $40,000 that's in that line item. We got our offices, Christine's office received um information from our attorney for these cases because we have representation in those cases through Hans and Russ that the owners of the Plaza South Park that used to house Big Lots, used to house right said they are challenging that assessment and they also were looking back at
102it for five years. and the attorney gave us the more than a nudge to say this is going to come back and it's not looking great in terms of us getting some sort of like hometown discount on this. So what what the attorney suggested is to create this fund to create the reserve fund which is totally legal. We just haven't had it yet. It needs to be approved to be created. So that's tax certiary fund because then what you do is you then put money to that and then you have a funding source from which to pay that out because we don't have it existing in a budget line right now. So, in in working with with Christine on it, like her her suggestion was like the most portable reserve fund we have is unemployment.
103And though unemployment is something that we could still experience some claims, for the most part, our experience has been first of all, we're not in the we're not in the layoff mode right now at all. So, that's not that's not where the concern is. And we don't have outstanding claims that we're paying either. So we feel comfortable about taking that 100,000 that fund that after interest this year is like 111,000. Taking 100,000 out of that to put in a tax certiary reserve fund once it's created. From there we pay whatever that assessment will be. And if there's if it turns out to be 38,000 then we're going to pay it on the budget line for 40,000 anyway. But we have the extra we have a pay if it's more than that. >> So I just
104want to catch Russ represents us on these cases all the time. We have these tax challenges all the time and he always negotiates not any brief one but to reduce the assessment assessment current year and into the future. But with this going back five years and a new judge on the case that's why I got the call. So, it's it's unique. So, he does a great job. Like I got one today. Um, but it's the future. You don't have to pay back any of them. >> Yeah, that's that sucks. That sucks. I'm less concerned about an individual property owner because like in the grand scheme of things, that's still potatoes. But when you're talking about, you know, a big corporation trying to take back money from us that many years, what the heck, my guy?
105>> Sorry. >> Lot of those thoughts. You're saying what I'm thinking. Um so what happens to this fund if these challenges are unsuccessful we transfer this just like we're transferring it now >> or you can leave it there for the future or you can transfer it. >> So this isn't a super restrictive fund type whereby >> no it's board action to reallocate. So then that begs the question like why put it in a font like why put it in >> that was his recommendation >> to govern ourselves from >> well if I'm not mistaken Mr. said the most uh fungeable uh fund before this one was our unemployment and you don't want to be taking stuff out of unemployment. You'd rather have a dedicated fund for >> Well, we did though. We took it out
106of unemployment to feed >> to feed to basically seed this one for the future. >> And I guess to to Cam's point, >> I feel like it's a little bit like I think the auditors will look at it as being very clean because it's coming from this fun. Like that's my fear. >> And they didn't like us. so much in unemployment because history shows we had used the unemployment return. We thought when we did have layoffs that there might have been some claims, but you know, we did it so early. Those folks got jobs. It was great. We didn't have to pay off. >> Okay. >> Financially speaking, >> um any other discussion on that? >> The property owners is just for those two plazas that this is that we're doing this. And here it
107also mentions that there's some an affordable housing complex. There's also some other >> the big ones. >> Does it rhyme with Anderson? >> No, it's not. >> All right. It's not really Anderson. >> All in favor? >> I opposed. Motion passes. H6. Can I have a motion to approve the addition of the following civil service positions? Three cooks. Moved by Ashley. >> Second by Jess. Any discussion? >> All in favor? >> All opposed? Motion passes. H7. Can I have a motion to approve the legal notice for the annual board of education election and budget vote on May 19th, 2026? >> Second by Ashley. Any discussion? >> All in favor? >> All opposed? Passes. H8. Can I have a motion to approve Christine Youngberg as chief election inspector? >> By Jess, second by Tom. Any discussion?
108All in favor? >> Passes. H9. Can I have a motion to approve change orders 40101 and 40102 for the capital project phase forward? Moved >> by Tom. >> Second by Mary. Any discussion? All in favor? >> All opposed? Motion passes. Public expression. Brandy. We have nobody for public expression. Okay. Uh well, I apologize everyone. We're going to have to wrap up here. Um, seeing no further business, can I have a motion to adjourn the meeting? >> Moved by Ashley. >> Second by Jess. Discussion. All in favor? >> All opposed. Meeting is adjourned at 7 42.