BOE Meeting, April 14, 2026

001Heat. Heat. Thank you. And again, welcome everybody to the West Sonic Central School District Board of Education meeting for Tuesday, April 14th, 2026. If we can begin with the pledge of the flag, I'm going to invite the Allenale students up to uh do lead us in the pledge. And if you guys want to stay up there for your presentation, thank you. This is I aliance 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. >> Thank you so much. We're going to do our roll call that we're up here and then we'll go to your presentation. Thank you. >> Start with our roll call. Mara >> present. >> Lorine >> present. >> Cal >> present. >> Brian

002>> present. >> Charlotte >> present. And uh Adam is excused this evening. Laura >> present. >> Sarah >> present. >> Jeremy >> present. Zack >> here. >> And me I'm here. Dr. Krueger >> I am here. >> Alen students you guys here? >> Yes. >> Excellent. I'm going to hand it over to you. >> Good evening. Uh my name is Mrs. Kasamasa and I'm the school librarian at Allenale Elementary and this is the Allenale Paw Prints fifth grade newspaper club. Thank you. So, how do we start? Um, we were inspired by Alyssa Thornton's Clinton Chronicles Club and I thought it'd be a great thing for us to do. So, I spoke with our fifth grade students to see if there was interest first. There was a lot of interest. We actually have way more members.

003I think there's about 28 students that did the first issue. Um so this is a small part of our group. Um our we decided to do a winter and a spring issue. Um our winter issue is out and we do have more copies that we can hand out at the end of our presentation. It's a student driven paper. They came up with different names. We voted um and then they pitch ideas and then they're given assignments. So, they tell me what they want to do. Um, and then we maybe talk about it, make some tweaks, and then they come up with the ideas themselves. So, here's a picture of all of our staff, some of our staff that couldn't be here. Our winter 2026 issue um came out about a month ago, and it was

004important that the newspaper reflect the talents, ideas, and opinions of our students. Um, the great thing about the newspaper is that everyone in this group has unique talent. Um, whether it's making comics, re writing reviews about books, toys, movies, uh, writing feature articles, interviews, um, all of the students were amazing with all of their talent and all of the articles. Um, we also wanted to make it interactive, so we had things like a bookmark contest and also um, word search. And then of course we celebrated um with a snack party when our first issue came out. Okay, there's a couple students that are just going to come up and talk to you a little bit about their experience. Um, I'm Jaden Sourer. Uh, and I'm a member of the Allenell Pawprints. And my favorite thing

005about the paw prints is I like to write articles and engage with other students and readers. Um, I'm Aaliyah and my favorite thing about the newspaper is um I like that in a newspaper club I can be really creative and when I pitch a story I can see if other students like um what I create and maybe we look together. My name is Abigail and my favorite part about our newspaper club is reading the finished paper and knowing that everybody in our school is reading what we created. My name is Molly Murela and my favorite part is that I like knowing that when I come home to my parents, they can read our newspaper and be really excited to see what I did. Um, Chloe is ab in is absent, so I'm going to read

006her part. My favorite thing about our newspaper club is writing articles that express your create c create creativity. I also like interacting and working with other students to see what works with a piece and what doesn't. So, we're currently working on our spring issue. Um some of our features are um an article on global warming, a look back on the history of Allenale. Uh we're going to be interviewing some teachers that are current teachers that were students at Allenale. We'll also be writing a feature on the West End SPCA um and a little tips and tricks for what kind of pets you should get. Crossword puzzle, comic book review, summer fashion, and we have a feature called Culture Corner. Um and this month we'll be interviewing a student that celebrates Ramadan. Next year, we're hoping

007to have four issues and a year-round club. And I'd like the students to be a little more involved in creating the layout. Right now, all the students use Canva and Google Docs. Um, so they are involved in a little bit of the technology part of it. Um, we'd like to have some guest speakers from local papers. Um, and we might possibly venture into a little bit of broadcast journalism. So, thank you for learning about our club. And we do have some extra issues if anybody wants one. Thank you. >> Um, for the record, guinea pigs, they're the best pets. >> Guinea. Hey, now um >> I'm gonna hand it over to Dr. Krueger to do our budget presentation. >> Sure. >> Thank you. First, I just want to congratulate the awesome students from Alenale Elementary.

008Thank you. And parents, thank you for bringing them here tonight uh to share paw prints with us. Just wanted to give some budget updates uh to the board of education. At our next board of education meeting um which will be the May 12th meeting, we will have our formal b public hearing of the budget. Um but tonight I'm going to be updating you um on the latest developments when it comes to the budget development process and also in anticipation of the board adopting the budget um which is on the agenda for this evening. So this is our budget development timeline that we have been working under um since this fall and uh everything that's listed in bold is really the steps that we have accomplished thus far which brings us to the adoption tonight uh

009the anticipated uh budget adoption. We will have our budget hearing at the May 12th meeting. That's the public hearing where the public has the opportunity to ask questions regarding uh the budget prior to the vote and the school budget vote uh and board of elections uh will be on May 19th. And then uh following that we will have the fund balance plan uh to be approved by the board of education once we close out the 202526 school year and we do all of our year-end calculations. So um you have seen these slides before. I'm going to just hone in on uh focusing on any changes or updates. As you know, this is a work in progress um over months as we continue to hone in on estimates and uh get further information on state aid.

010We are still awaiting the state's budget. The budget has not yet been adopted. So, the numbers that we are working under are estimated conservative numbers because we do not yet have a state adopted uh budget. So we don't know with precision what our um state revenues will be. So here you have salary and benefits. Um there's been no significant changes on this slide. This is uh reflective of stable staffing counts here in our school district rolling over of those existing positions and certainly analyzing all positions that we have and considerations. Uh, one big factor in this that is still a variable is that we are undergoing contract negotiations with our teachers bargaining unit. And so we are working under estimates as to what the salaries will be for our largest bargaining unit which is our

011teachers uh next year and have those estimated numbers there for your review. Salary and benefits. This shows trends over time. Um, again no changes that have been made to this slide. This is a slide that the board has previously seen, but on this slide, we did update this um based on some requests at the last board meeting just to give you some a snapshot as to where we currently stand when it comes to our personnel and staffing analysis. Uh at this point, we have 13 anticipated retirements um of teachers. The breakdown of where those positions are are listed for you on the slide. Um and we do also have a number of positions that are open positions uh within the CSEA bargaining unit. Those positions are being held uh they are in the budget and

012we are actively working to fill those positions but currently there are a number of positions mainly in the transportation department uh that that we are working to fill. So they are vacant yet rolling over into the budget and actively working to fill those positions. our staffing data. Again, the board has previously seen this, but we have been operating under what we refer to as a staffing neutral budget. That doesn't mean that we won't have staffing shifts. We look at every vacancy and really determine is that position needed and taking an opportunity uh where possible through attrition to not fill positions if not needed, but really not looking at any dramatic shifts in staffing. no new positions uh dramatically anticipated and certainly no reductions or layoffs that are anticipated but we will look at everything with

013a fine tooth comb when it comes to um filling any vacancies and taking advantage through attrition when we can. So this is a breakdown of our staffing data for teachers. Total number of teachers as you can see over time and what we anticipate for the upcoming school year are very stable and constant numbers there. when it comes to our building level leadership, which would be our principles and assistant principles and then also our certified administrators. Under other budget codes, we have um a number of codes here that are highlighted. Increases um have been reflected here. There are no changes uh to these the next series of slides from when I last updated and presented on the budget to the board of education. under the Boseis budget development. You'll see here um one item that is

014highlighted is that we are now starting to fund and work into our budget the anticipation of the expenses for the new Boseies expansion facility. Um as the board is aware, Boseies will be moving into a new facility that's located at Dick and Walden Avenue. Uh this will allow them to expand their special education programming. That building is un under renovations right now and it's anticipated that it will begin to serve children in the fall of 27. All component districts that means the the districts within Erie oneis all component districts are contributing to help fund that new facility and the renovations to that facility. So that is one change on this slide since the last budget. uh update for you that I wanted to highlight that that is an increase in our Bosey's expenditure expenditures to

015support that capital project and the renovations to that building uh that we anticipate will benefit our students that have special education programming and and the students throughout all of Erie one Boseis uh no changes on this slide and then the final draft appropriations. So, these are our final uh anticipated expenditures for the upcoming school year with our budget anticipated to be just over $170 million uh for the upcoming school year. On the revenue side, as I previously mentioned, um state aid is listed here. State aid, we do not yet have those state aid uh numbers finalized. So, we are using conservative estimates in this budget development process, but the other numbers are certainly more finalized. Um, and we'll be able to highlight those for you. This next slide indicates our tax levy limit. Um, and

016this is our tax cap calculation. So, that represents a 2.23 increase. Uh, that would be the maximum amount that we can ask voters um under the tax levy or that tax cap. And then what is uh listed at the bottom of the slide is what that represents in dollars. So for every quarter of a percent of that tax levy, it's about $180,000 in revenue. In other words, a 1% increase or decrease in that number would be $718,900. Uh the state aid runs as I mentioned uh these are still estimates at this point because the state has not yet adopted their budget. Um but we have adjusted for expected building aid and that is highlighted there. That's building aid that we get from our capital improvement projects the the revenue back on that. No changes on

017this slide since the last budget um update. And then the m miscellaneous revenue. Um we are anticipated that interest rates are expected to continue to to decrease. Um we have budgeted for less revenue uh than we have in previous years. And it's also noteworthy that our Winchester Academy lease um is being extended for the 2627 school year. So we will be leasing the entire Winchester Academy to Erie Woseis for the upcoming school year. And that revenue is reflected here on this slide. So this uh next slide gives you a visual and pictorial representation of the first draft uh revenue versus appropriations breakdown and then our reserve balances. um both with our capital reserves. Those are authorized by our voters and the capital reserves are the reserves in which we can pull funds out to offset

018the expenditures of the anticipated capital improvement project that would go out to voters on May 19th. In addition, we have a bus uh purchase reserve fund and going out to voters on May 19th along with and coinciding with our bus replacement schedule. We anticipate um being able to draw funds out of that reserve funds, but the voters have authorized us to invest the funds in there and now we can pull funds out to be able to make those those investments. And then uh lastly are some things that we've highlighted in order for us to close the budget gap from our anticipated expenditures um from revenues. There are no changes on this slide since uh the last update to the board of education. I will highlight here, however, that um in the unlikely event that our

019budget was not supported by voters and the budget was declined, we do have the opportunity to go out for a second vote to the community. Um or we could immediately adopt a contingent budget. A contingent budget has some considerable restrictions on it um and limitations to it. If we were forced to be in a contingent budget, that contingent budget would reflect uh a $1.6 million uh reduction and a breakdown of how those reductions would would be um impacted on our budget, where those funds would come from. So, we would no longer be able to do the capital outlay project where we anticipate replacement doors at Northwood Elementary. We would also have uh an inability to purchase the equipment that we intend to appro to purchase and there would be reductions in administration and instructional expenditures

020if we were forced to be under a contingent budget. Uh, as I previously mentioned, we have been investing in capital outlay projects on an annual basis, which allow us to do a $100,000 investment and get state aid on uh an improvement in our schools. We've identified that Northwood Elementary's exterior doors um are where we want to concentrate our next capital outlay project. We started that work this year and we will continue that next year with the capital outlay project. Also on May 19th, as I previously mentioned, there will be um going out to our voters the opportunity to authorize us to purchase additional school buses. This would be replacement school buses. Um we're looking to purchase four 64 passenger school buses and one 64 passenger school bus. uh that also accommodates a wheelchair and the

021total expenditures are listed there which reflect a total of $898,459. So next steps um we will have our budget hearing on May 12th. That's the opportunity for the public to ask questions and for the public to make sure that they thoroughly understand the budget and all the propositions that are going out to voters on May 19th. And then our annual budget vote will be held on May 19th. So with that, I'd like to see if the board has any questions or feedback on the budget development process or any questions uh in anticipation of the adoption of the budget on tonight's agenda. I'm happy to answer those questions and both Will and Alyssa are in the audience as well and would be happy to answer any questions you may have. Yeah, I go. >> Uh, in

022what cases would there be like a tax increase for the residents? Like what passing what bill or going through the financials or anything like that? In what case should the the people know the public know that taxes could increase? >> So, let me go back to and I'm struggling. I lost my glasses. I think I left him on an airplane. So, um I believe it's this slide. Yes, this uh reflects the the anticipated 2.23 increase. Um so, the tax levy uh or I should say the tax cap uh is the the maximum that we could ask voters to approve on May 19th. So, that is a limit through that calculation uh that's listed here. That is the maximum that we could ask voters to support. And so we are anticipating an increase of 2.23%. Um

023and that's what we will be asking voters on May 19th to support and that supports the overall $170 million budget. >> Okay. And a follow up to that, if that does pass, do you know what uh how much that would increase like each household or taxes by like monetary amount? >> Yes. So I I'm going to ask Will to to join it in here. It there are some variables. Um we have residents in various towns, town of Chikuaga, town of West Senica, and it is based on a variety of factors including the the assessed value um of a home. Will you like to or Alyssa expand on that? >> Can you go to one slide past the question slide? Wow. >> He read your mind. >> That's the history of uh how a tax levy

024has turned into tax rates over the last five years. Obviously, we don't have the data for this year. What we're missing for this year are the equalization rates, which aren't public yet, and the assessments, which don't become published until the end of July. So once those two rates are in place, we'd be in shape for an August approval of the tax rates. That's when that occurs. We will have a better idea by May as to what that amount will be because we'll get tenative uh assessments and tenative uh equalization rates sometime towards the end of this month or early in May. >> So we'll have a solid number on >> Yeah. >> taxes will increase per household. Yeah, we will we'll be able to pin it right down. It'll be the same calculation, but you

025can see the how the levy has translated to tax increases over time for each jurisdiction. >> Thank you. >> Um I just had a couple questions about timelines. Do we have a timeline for the WISA contract negotiations? Will that be completed before the budget vote? And same with the state budget. Do we expect that to be finalized before? >> So, they just uh I just got word that they've extended again done another budget extender. This is their third so that that they can keep uh moving forward. I don't I don't know when the state anticipates having their budget adopted. Um we have been actively meeting with WISA uh really picked up contract negotiations in January and uh have been meeting regularly with WISA. Our hope and goal I think on both sides are that we

026have the the contract um finalized and negotiated where it can be ratified by teachers ideally before the end of the school year. Um teachers need to ratify and vote on the contract which is much more challenging to do in July or August. So, our hope and goal is that we're able to do that before the end of the school year. I don't know as though it's likely to happen prior to the budget vote. However, >> I just want to say I appreciate all the information, also the email uh you sent to the board. However, I would still like to see a breakdown of all of CSEA and uh the teachers to see what stop every single employee is at just to see where make the numbers make sense basically when it comes to the salaries.

027Um and but the one thing I'm I'm just having a very hard time with and I I get it. Some of the stuff is out of our control when it comes to like retirement and social security and stuff like that. Those rates aren't set by uh anyone internally, but year after year we have a tax increase and we have to pull out of our reserves just to balance the budget. Uh and each year it seems to increase more and more. Um so to me that's essentially not doing good business. I mean, if this was your household and after one year you had to pull out of your savings just to make it through the year, you're going to make some drastic changes in order to move forward and only have to do one or the

028other. You know, maybe go work more or uh just figure it out a different way. But here we are and year after year we're telling the public, hey, we need more money from you, but we also have to pull it out of our rainy day account because we can't pay our bills. And we need to get ahead of this now. And that is one reason why I I got to tell you, I'm not going to support the budget because I can't get behind us doing this year after year after year without any change being made. off. >> Good. >> Excellent. >> Thank you. >> Appreciate it. And now now we'll move on to our student exeicial board member report. Charlotte, >> so as far as student life goes, the seniors have started a friendly competition

029of senior assassin. Cal will go over more about what that is, but the music department is taking their bi-annual trip to New York City next week. They're going to visit museums, Broadway shows, and just enjoy the large city. And then this year, there are 11 senior boys participating in Mr. East. This is a competition that is comedic, which part the sorry participants compete in pickup line competitions, dressear competitions, and lip syncing battles. This competition will be on May 11th, and I'll hand it over to Cal. Thank you. Before the break, um, science honor society students and life science academy students joined together to go to science exploration day at UB where we got to participate in 40minute lectures from UB professors on topics like neural networks, concussions, and geology. And then the day after that,

030juniors also got to go to the national college convention at the convention center where there were uh 175 colleges that students could connect with. And then senior assassin is like a blend of tag and a water gun battle. So, you have to get you have you have targets assigned for each round. And uh then you have to film yourself um squirting them with your water gun. And then you have other factors like um if you're wearing a floaty or your goggles, then you're safe. Unless it's a purge day where the goggles and floaties don't count. And lastly, like during the school day at sporting events or clubs, then it's a safe zone and you can't get out. And the buyin's $10 and the winner winners, it's a teams of two compete. Take home take home

031the pool. And then Friday we have Mr. West, which is pretty similar setup of talent show for senior boys. >> 10 uh pre $10 like monopoly money, right? Uh, sure. >> Yeah, just making sure. >> And we're doing it in a very, very safe manner with I saw the post from the West Police. >> I think we only got one call on it last. They did good last year. >> That was very appreciative. >> See if they keep it up. Yeah. >> Good. All set there. Move on to committee reports. Um the budget advisory committee met and um well you just saw what we talked about so that saves me from a lot of talk or more talking than I already do. Um were there I don't believe there were any other committees that got

032together. I'm not missing anything. Anyone? >> No. >> It's almost like we had a break or something right somewhere. >> I mean I'll say the policy committee just met right before this meeting. Um, and we reviewed several policies that will be coming to the board probably in a few weeks. Yeah. Great. May. >> Thank you. >> I'll hand it back over to Dr. Krueger. >> Thank you. I'm happy to share my superintendent report with you, but before I do that, I wanted to welcome some colleagues who are in the in attendance tonight. Um, I have colleagues from the Williamsville Central School District, Pioneer, Clarence, Orchard Park. um just to name a few who are participants in the New York State Superintendent Development Program and they are here tonight. They heard um what a highly functioning

033and awesome board of education and superintendent we have in West Senica. Uh so they they are here tonight and we welcome them. Uh their assignment is called a three-part board meeting. So, we met uh virtually yesterday prior to the board meeting where they could ask questions about uh the budget or or rather the agenda development process um kind of the functioning of our board of education and superintendent relations. They're here tonight to observe the board meeting and then we'll do do a debrief following the board meeting. So, welcome to our colleagues and best wishes to you in the New York State Superintendent Development Program. happy to share a few updates um with the board of education and those in attendance. First, I wanted to share some reconfiguration planning updates. Our reconfiguration logistics and planning team

034has been actively meeting since the board of education adopted um the redistricting and reconfiguration plan. Um we have really shifted from the logistical focus um which is well underway on moves and things of that nature to really um focusing on the social emotional aspect of this. This is a change that we know will be impacting children and families and that's not something that we take lightly. Um and so we have been working um with both Mrs. Ferry at Northwood and Mrs. McCarten at Clinton to develop some strategies and some events to help the transition for our students. Um we are have a communication that will be going out actually tomorrow afternoon to families and it will release our anticipated start and end times for both Clinton and Northwood Elementary for the upcoming school year. an

035announcement of a field trip for students who are transitioning to Clinton or Northwood. And they're going to do one grade level on each of these days, May uh 14th, 18th, and 19th. So, for example, at Clinton Elementary, where our current second, third, and fourth graders will be transitioning to the intermediate school to Northwood. They will be next year's grade 3, four, five students. on each day, one grade level will go and be able to visit their school, meet teachers, meet new classmates, take a tour of the school, begin to get comfortable in that new space. And that was actually a recommendation that came at the board table to ensure that we weren't just hosting events in the evening for families where some students, if that was prohibited, where their families couldn't come to an evening

036event, that we also consider a daytime event. So, we have a field trip planned in May. We also have a welcome families event uh an ice cream event that is planned at each school on the evening of May 28th. Um and then we will you know be providing that support to families that will be transitioning to their new school in September. Additionally, we are also sensitive that this is a substantial change for our faculty and staff. And so, we have had faculty meetings to prepare our faculty and staff for the logistical details of packing up uh their supplies and materials if their classroom will be moving. um the movement of furniture, equipment, things of that nature. That is anticipated to take place in mid July so that we can allow um for substantial and adequate

037time for teachers to get settled into their new classrooms. Staffing projections and any staffing shifts that process and the transfer process um will be ongoing and and beginning very soon. And then lastly is there is going to be an optional after-school faculty meeting, a meet and greet event that will be hosted at both Clinton and Northwood Elementary Schools on April 28th so that colleagues can begin to meet their new grade level colleagues, their new principal, and any new faculty or staff that they may be working with. So, uh, huge thank you to everyone that's involved in that process and all of the planning that's been taking place to ensure a smooth and positive transition. I'd next like to uh shift gears and do some student recognition. We have a student from East Senior, Angel D.

038Rosio, um, who was recently recognized as a Skills USA regional winner. She will go on now to compete at the state level. Um this young lady has participated in our students uh our superintendent's advisory council as well. Um she is bright, articulate. I am not surprised but incredibly proud of her for this recognition. We also had a number of students um I'm going to highlight first at East Senior, but next you'll see at East Middle School that participated in the New York State History Competition and our students did incredibly well. You'll see listed on the screen students who took first, second, and third place in two different categories in that history competition. And at East Middle, they participated in the Western New York history day competition and they earned first place um in their competition.

039We also had an eighth grade student uh Lucas. And Lucas um made it through the regional level. Lucas is now preparing um to go to Aniana, New York to compete at the state level uh later this month. So we wish Lucas all the best as he moves on to the state level competition. I'd like to recognize our student athletes. um ECIC and in our region hosts an athletic leadership summit and we had both student athletes and coaches that participated in this leadership summit uh that took pa place at Buffalo State College during Buff State's spring break. So many thanks to our athletic director and our coaches um for the opportunity for our students to participate in this leadership experience. We've had some pretty remarkable um and amazing authentic learning experiences for our students. Uh this

040next one that I'm highlighting for you uh involves our Spanish students who have been meeting virtually with students in Uruguay and um both participating in Zoom sessions and also recording and sending recordings so that they can have authentic conversations and an opportunity to speak uh Spanish with Spanish fluent Spanish speakers. We have a number of events that have happened in themmies. Uh highlighted here is a recent field trip where our sophomores from the engineering academy toured the Northland workforce training center with Mr. Dave Cina who is a teacher at East Senior. We also had what a great group of students um at Salvatore's Italian Gardens. They hosted a marketing and me event for students. And uh this event for our life sciences academy students really allowed students the opportunity to learn practical soft skills um

041to really hone their skills um and to give themselves a professional advantage. Right now our students uh have been undergoing their evaluation to earn their seal of biiteracy. So in order to earn your seal of biiteracy, students have to demonstrate that they are fluent in another language and it typically involves a presentation uh where they are both presenting in that language mainly for our students it's French or Spanish and then they have to engage in questions that are asked uh to them on their topic. So this uh these photos are of students at East Senior who recently underwent their seal of biiteracy evaluation and our students at West Senior are wrapping up that evaluation. Um it is a rigorous process and students really have to demonstrate a command of the language in order to earn

042that seal. So congratulations to our students for their accomplishments. I'd also like to highlight um just a a great opportunity where Northwood Elementary students um were able to have their voice heard and uh some advocacy and agency. The students in a fourth grade class at Northwood Elementary uh advocated for soccer nets to be added uh as an element for them to play during recess. They made a presentation to the school principal, Mrs. Ferry um who was so moved by their presentation that they are now the the winners of Soccer Nets at Northwood Elementary. But I think this highlights our students really feeling that they have a voice and some advocacy to make a positive impact in their school community. So kudos to the team at Northwood Elementary. And several of our schools are right now

043participating in one school, one book. Uh here we have some pictures out of Clinton Elementary. Clinton is reading Charlie in the Chocolate Factory. All students received a copy of the book along with a golden ticket. And you can see the school librarian in the photograph to the right. Uh she dressed up as Willy Wonka for the event. So, what a great way to promote reading. I wanted to next um just clarify maybe some potential misunderstanding. There was some activity that I saw and got a heads up on last night on social media regarding our planned renovations for our restrooms and I think a misunderstanding as to the restroom renovations. So I wanted to clarify that for uh the board of education and anyone in the audience who may be listening. uh the the social media

044buzz and misunderstanding was that we were going to have genderneutral bathrooms um by where student stalls of boys and girls would be right next to one another. And I want to clarify that that is not the case. Um our goal through this process first and foremost is to increase safety and to increase supervision. And from the onset of this, we've been working with school administrators and with our school resource officers on how we could better design school laboratories to increase safety and increase supervision. The reality is our bathrooms tend to be spots where students um vape, where we deal with fights, where we deal with other behaviors. And we are challenged when we have, let's say, a floor full of teachers who are all female teachers and they're limited to go into the boys's restroom

045or conversely a male teacher may not be able to enter the female laboratory if they hear something going on. So, we looked at how can we increase safety and supervision while also maintaining the highest level of student privacy. Um, our bathrooms do not have a high level of student privacy right now with the flimsy stall doors that we have that you can see through cracks that are more than an inch wide. We want to increase both safety, supervision, and privacy. And we looked at a variety of different ways to do this. We looked at a model um that Frontier High School recently did in their laboratory renovations. We've looked at other models in schools in the Rochester area, some both at the high school level and also at the college and university level. What you

046see photographed on the left hand side of the screen is the completed lavatories at Pioneer High School where students now have single private individual laboratories. They are not the flimsy stall doors, but actually full walls with floor to ceiling walls and a full door for privacy where students have that privacy. The difference is they're not designated as boys labs or girls labs. They are single use. You see in the middle which is a architectural rendering of what is design could be where we have single private laboratories and then students come out to a more common area for handwashing and that handwashing area New York State Department of Ed has requirements around the privacy that students must have at the handwashing area. And then again to the right is another potential rendering of what we have

047considered through this design process. By no means is this done. We are still open to hearing feedback. Um we held two facility focus groups previously and we are still actively working with our architects on this. But I I did think it was critically important to clear up any misunderstandings that like parents we value privacy. We want students to have privacy. We are trying to balance that also with the need that we have to ensure student safety and supervision and trying to find the right balance and how to about go about doing that. um instead of just you know freshening up the tile tiles and the toilets of the existing labs that we have, is there a way that we can really enhance the space to increase safety and supervision. So I welcome anyone who has

048questions or concerns to get in touch with me. I would encourage you to get in touch with me for accurate information instead of Facebook. Um, Facebook's not always the most reliable source, but I will answer questions and give you information and I will certainly answer any questions that you have and I want to hear your feedback as we are still in the development process of this. And lastly, I want to thank our good friends at the Southgate Plaza um, who recently welcomed us to have a bus on property at the Southgate Plaza. It is situated very closely to Union Road to give us great visibility where we have a banner advertising and marketing and recruiting our need for bus drivers and bus attendants. And the response, Jennifer Jones is smiling here in the audience. The

049response has been awesome. In just a few days, we've already had a lot of increased activity and interest. So, I wanted to thank um our friends at the Southgate Plaza for allowing us to do that. Uh and then lastly, just wanted to highlight some upcoming events. I've highlighted some major events um that are going on. Of course, we have capital improvement project community presentations on both April 27th and then immediately prior to our May 12th board of education meeting, a board of education work session on April 28th. Um, and then our SARD, the Scholastic Academic Recognition Dinner on May 14th and our budget vote on May 19th. I would need probably six slides to list all of the amazing musical events that are going on um throughout from now to graduation. It would simply encourage

050you to visit our website for a complete list of all of our concerts, our orchestra, band, coral concerts. our students um will be showcasing all the work of this school year and I hope you're able to attend an event. Thank you. >> Thank you. Okay. Um as of as of a few minutes ago, no one has signed up to speak publicly. Is there anyone in the audience that did not sign the sheet but may want to come up? Okay, I'll I'll have you come up. I'm going to read I have to read a little statement first, but then when you come you can come up um and then give us your name and address, please. Uh, okay. So, the board will now entertain public comment for 30 minutes with each speaker given three. When called,

051please step up to the podium and state your name and address. Please be respectful in your comments and do not divulge any personal or confidential information. There you go. I read it. Thank you. >> Hi. Uh, my name is Erikica Murphy. Uh, my address is 84 Brookside Drive. Um, I am the varsity cheer coach at West. Um, I have my volunteer Valerie and one of my varsity cheerleaders, Paige. Um, I just wanted to say thank you to the board for quickly approving a bus home when our flight got cancelled on our way home from Orlando for nationals. Um, getting us the bus home right away um, was very nice on my part. It was very stressful situation. So, it made it so much easier for us and the parents and the cheerleaders that we had.

052Um, so we really appreciate all your support that you've given us over the years. um not just in that moment but in like just opportunities across the board like letting us attend nationals. So I just want to come by and say thank you. >> Thank you. >> You have two more minutes if you want to keep >> I don't think I could. >> Thank you so much. >> Yes. Thank you. I appreciate it. >> Thank you for being here tonight to to recognize the efforts and I if I can you and thank you for recognizing our board of education. And I'd also like to give a shout out to our amazing athletic director um who worked tirelessly to get our girls home in a timely manner. We were sensitive to the fact that we had

053parent chaperones that were now stuck in Florida, many of whom these parent chaperones needed to go to work. We wanted to get our girls home safely and back to school. So kudos to Marissa um for her work with with you. Um thank you for all that you do for our girls. >> Thank you so much. Anyone else? We'll close the public comment. >> I was just going to say I wore a sparkly sweatshirt like that. >> Yeah, we can. >> Aren't those cute? I have the link. >> We can order a leather and sparkly sweatshirt. >> Motion pass. Is that what you said? >> We'll move on to uh number three. We do have to do a few separate votes here. So, um, if I'm if I may have a motion on 3A, please. I'll

054make a motion to approve 3A. May I have a second? >> I'll second. >> Second, Laura. Is there any discussion? >> I guess I see obviously 3A then leads to 3B. Um, can I just get the explanation on that and hours and what the staffing currently is besides the grounds worker that were eliminated for the transportation department? >> I'm sorry. Can you ask your question one more time, Jeremy? So, we're abolishing a grounds worker position at the transportation department and creating under 3B a laborer labor parttime, a cleaner part time. >> Uh, I guess one, is there any other employees in this in the transportation department besides the grounds worker right now? And then kind of what would the hours be in job duties of these individuals that were creating getting rid of? So the

055the el deletion of the grounds worker employee allows us to it's a vacant position right now. It allows us to fill that with additional support. Um the laborer position is a position that is a lesser hourly rate than the grounds worker. So we're able to get more support for that department. Um this is also part of the overall restructuring that we've had of our buildings and grounds department where we have had um throughout the course of the year as we've had opportunities for vacancies to really evaluate are we go going to fill that position as it currently exists or are we going to look at filling that position in a different way. So, this gives us additional support by both having a laborer and a part-time laborer um to support that department um which is

056which is needed. >> So, is there currently anyone at the uh transportation department that handles any of the duties as far as >> I I can I can find that out for you. I don't know off hand. >> Currently, the position's taken. >> Yes. I can find that out for you and follow up. I'll follow up with the board afterwards. >> Any other discussion on 3A? I always look for Charlotte. I know it's just like you're in the drive line of sight. Sorry. Um Okay. Uh all in favor? >> I. >> Anyone opposed? It passes 70. We'll move on to 3B. Again, separate um separate vote on that. If I can have a motion on 3B, please. >> I'll make a motion to pass 3B. >> Loren, a motion to pass 3B. May I have

057a second? >> I'll second. >> Marlo, second. Any discussion on 3B? >> Uh, can you just explain the deletion of the clerk and creation of the assistant school district treasurer? >> Sure. So the I think the board is aware of this. It was described in two different weekly updates to the board. As we have retirements in the business office, we are doing some restructuring within the business office. Um we have Will Theo's retirement um and have backfilled that position. Uh this next position will be a district treasurer position and we have an anticipated retirement on the horizon. It is not yet made public. Um but when that position is uh finalized and that individual retires, we will not be filling that vacancy. So this is part of the the overall restructuring of the business department.

058Um I can resend those updates where I've summarized those shifts in the business department if you'd like to have another look at that. But it is not um adding or deleting the total number of employees within the business office, but simply shifting some of the responsibilities and taking advantage of retirements that we have on the horizon. >> I just thought it was good for the public to hear that explanation. But >> thank you. >> Full disclosure, I not going to support this at this time. Just it's not with the district treasurer and just with the uh transportation department without knowing like what the staffing is there. I have a hard time getting behind adding three positions, although two of them are part-time, but that's what keep >> any other discussion on the manner. >> Okay.

059Um discussion. All in favor? >> I. >> Anyone opposed? >> Anyone abstain? Okay. Passes 61. Thank you. We'll move on to our consent agenda. If I may have a motion on the consent agenda, please >> make a motion to pass the consent agenda. >> Sarah, a motion to pass consent agenda. May I have a second? >> I'll second. >> Laura, >> yep. >> Okay, Laura second. We do not have discussion on consent agenda. So, all in favor? >> I. Anyone opposed? >> Passes 70. And I believe at this time we're going to do some introductions. >> Yes. I would like to um first just take a moment to recognize one of our colleagues. The board just took action on the retirement of colleague Holly Quinn. Uh Dr. Quinn began her career in the West Sica

060Central School District as a remedial reading teacher uh back in the year 2000 at Alenale Elementary. And then she did leave us for some time to take another position, an administrative position in another school district. And we were lucky that Holly's uh journey and her path brought her back to West Senica. She has served as the elementary principal at Potter's Road Elementary previously. Uh in addition to um currently serving at Ellenale Elementary School, Holly is a leader among leaders. She has been an officer in the West Sakica School Administrators Association and I will just say on a personal note from day one, Holly has been nothing but entirely supportive, loyal, helpful um to me. She is direct and honest and I appreciate her cander with us. And when she does speak to you directly and

061honestly, it always comes from a place of good intentions. Um, she truly wants what's best for the district. She truly is an advocate for Allenale and for her students and it has been a pleasure working with you, Holly. And I wish you all the best as you transition into retirement and get to spend more time in Florida. Uh, continue working on that beautiful tan and uh, we wish you nothing but health and happiness in retirement. Congratulations. Um, you're sitting next to Jennifer though. Is she trying to convince you to come back and drive time or >> congratulations? Um, >> yes. Um, John, would you like to come up and do any other introductions? And while John is on his way up, I just want to um notate that we did at the at the board

062work session. We did um make a hire on the assistant director of facilities and we'll be introducing it um during this. But I just want to let everyone know it was the beginning of our work session and it was something we wanted to get done and get moved along. So we didn't hold it till this meeting. But um I believe the vote was 70 to approve. So go ahead. Thank you. >> Hi. Thank you. Is this working? I'm not sure. Is this on? >> We have several appointments tonight and I'm excited. that I'd like to congratulate. These are some huge positions that we filled uh including um a a crew chief and our transportation department, mechanic crew chief. Uh I my understanding is there's only two people here that are on this list. Colleen and

063Kylen. Colleen, are you here? Colleen, I'd like to congratulate you on your appointment as head custodian. I will tell you that your principal reached out to me and was disappointed that she couldn't be here due to a conflict, but so proud and so am I and your colleagues as well for this accomplishment. So congratulations if I can get started. >> And I'd like our business official Alyssa Strauss to if you wouldn't mind uh making the next introduction. Kylie. >> So I'd like to introduce N. She was appointed tonight as the district treasur. So Kylie comes to us with a sense of knowledge. She's the current district treasurer yet another district here and she has a lot of knowledge that I'm excited to bring into the business office and help as I grow my transition. So

064very excited. >> Welcome. Congratulations. >> Is there anyone else on this list that is in attendance? >> We also have Rich Lord here. >> Oh, Rich. Oh, >> okay. That's right. Thank you, Rich. Uh if you please stand to be recognized. Uh appointed recently as our assistant director of facilities. Uh brings to us an extensive uh knowledge and we're excited. Uh the entire process. I know the entire committee was excited and I'm sure Mick would like to be here. Unfortunately, he's dealing with a personal issue right now. But congratulations and welcome again to the district. >> Thank you. Thank you. And in closing, I'd like to say I've had the pleasure to work with Holly uh go to school for our graduate degrees together and she has been a colleague, a resource, and a support.

065And you will be missed. So, congratulations though. >> Thank you. >> All right. So, what we're going to do now is again, we want to take a chance to go talk to everybody we just mentioned and say hello and use the restroom and grab a drink of water. So, we're going to take a 10-minute recess. There will be a clock on the screen to keep me in line. And, uh, Jeremy also will keep me in line. Um, so we'll be back in about 10 minutes if uh, everyone wants to say hello and go meet the new people. Thank you. >> Okay, everyone, we are back. Um, that was a a great 10 minutes. Thank you. Got to meet everyone. say hello. We will um now move on to number 10. Um if anyone wants to

066make a motion on what they think they want to include in 10 probably go my opinion all the way up to F. >> Yep. So my opinion would be 10 A through F, but I'm not going to stand in the way if anyone wants to do less than that. >> I'll make a motion to approve 10 A through F. I'll second that. >> Any discussion on any of those items? I see there's a field trip. I love that. >> I have a question. >> For 10 C, the affiliation agreement, is that for new courses like uh like college courses that we could take in high school? So great question, Ryan. Um, what the colleges now are requiring is when we host student teachers, we have to enter into a formal contract and agreement. So this

067is actually a contract um where we agree the conditions that we'll provide student teachers uh so that student teachers will not be alone with students in the classroom as an example. So we've had a number of these affiliation agreements that have come through over the course of the year. So that is regarding student teachers. We also do have partnerships for like dual enrollment where students can earn college credit. Um for example, Syracuse University. So I can see where where you would ask that question. But the the contract that um that we just are taking action on is regarding that. >> Any other uh discussion? >> All in favor? I Anyone opposed? Passes 70. Next thing is we're going to do um AG, but I want to also just point out to everybody at our last

068work session, we did a second item that was vital to get done. Um we do try to have everything happen in a board meeting, but this was vital. So, we voted on proposition number two and uh it passed 70. Just to let everyone know about that. So, we will do now AG and it's going to be a roll call vote. So, if I could have a motion to approve AG. >> Oh, no. Sorry. A motion for AG. >> 10G. >> Oh my god. >> I You know what? You should just >> I'll make a motion to approve 10G. >> Thank you. How's that? Good job, Sarah. Thank you. >> Second. Um, any discussion on it? >> Yeah. Second. >> Um, this is for proposition one, right? Yeah. >> Yes, sir. Sorry. >> I'm just concerned

069about like the tax implementations of the uh on the residents. Looks like it's going to be what 2.23%. And then another 7.2 from the reserve. Um, I'm just concerned about that and that doesn't include like our capital improvement project coming up which could be an additional percentage. So I don't know if anyone has any insight as far as as far as what that could be for the residents. We um last or gentleman that was up before didn't give me an exact number. I don't have an exact number on the residents, but people that I talked to in West Sakica, the taxes are high in West Sakica, like they're not low. And I'm just concerned we keep blasting people with this stuff from the schools and whatever the town stuff and all that, you know, it's

070going to make it tough for people. And that's kind of where I stand on it. You know, it could be up to 5% by the time we're done with capital improvement and all that. It's just concerning to me as a taxpayer in this town and a lot of people that I've actually talked to in the town about the tax rates already. So, I don't know if someone can provide me with some insight about how much this is actually going to go up or how it's going to affect the residents with this. So, I I just want to clarify something first and then, you know, I'll give Will and Alyssa an opportunity if they'd like to elaborate. The tax levy percent is different than the tax rate. Okay? >> So, tax levy percent, the 2.23% is

071the amount um that does not equate to your taxes going up by 2.23%. that is the amount that we are going to elicit from our community for that portion of the the budget revenue. So, it's increasing the amount that the community would be contributing by 2.23%. That does not mean your individual homeowners tax will be going up by 2.23%. the the impact to homeowners is really based on their assessed value, the equalization rate that will described and showed that chart of of what if you look back at even last year, what that had meant and last year's was higher than this year. Last year was 2.71% if I'm not mistaken, this year's 2.23%. Um Alyssa, would you like to or will expand on that any further to clarify tax levy versus tax rate? I'd love

072to give you a tax rate, but we don't have the numbers. They come from the assessor and from the state, and they come over the next 90 days. So, as they come out, we'll be able to update the board on what the impact of each number as it comes out means for the taxpayer. Historically, we've been I think on that one chart, you could see that the levy does never translates directly to the tax rate. It's always a different number. So, if if I can just I want to and I could be wrong on this. I want to clarify your question. Let's say, you know, Mr. Jojo owns a $250,000 home in West Senica. What is he looking at as a tax increase with this budget approval? Is that what your question is? >> Yeah,

073it is. And it's tough to make a decision on something when we don't have numbers that correlate. If I'm voting on this and I don't know what the impact's going to be on the taxpayer, how am I voting on this? >> Well, it's one of the flaws in the school budget approval process is that the numbers aren't available. when the town does their budget, they have all the numbers available and they've been available for 6 months. >> Well, could you could you um give an example of how this correlated with like last year or the year before for like a 200? >> Can we pull up that uh slide? >> If you could pull up the budget slide again and it's uh slide number 30. >> Thank you. Thank you for your help with that.

074So this is the actual data for the last several years. So in last year's budget, the tax levy increase was 2.75%. The tax rate increase in West Senico was 1.54% or 73 cents per assessed thousand. >> Do you have any data to show like how much that would correlate to for a house assessed at 250,000? So most uh most houses in West Ena number from the assessor the $62,000 is the average assessment the market value of 258 to $260,000. That's if you go back and look at the sales data. That's what averages out in West Senica. That's where the equalization rate comes from. the $62,000 assessment is is applies itself by virtue of a.24 equalization rate into a $258,000 home. So a home that sells for 250 would have 62 73 cents on 62. So

075$40. >> Thank you. >> So about 40 and that was consistent the last four years or whatever. actually went down in 2025, was higher in 2024. So, you can see it varies. So, if you look at it over time on the bottom left, the average increase for the last 5 years in West Senica has been a little over 1%. >> So, I'm just trying to understand this, so forgive me if I'm >> Oh, no, no. I I'll perfectly get it. It's not >> 2025. That's $47.50. >> That was the tax rate per thousand. Okay. >> School taxes in West Senica down from 40 52 4752 the year before. >> So that's not how much each homeowner paid extra. >> So each homeowner paid extra. If you go down to the second last group of data

076in 2025, they paid 2 cents less per thousand extra. In 2026, they paid 73 cents more extra in addition. >> So market value of a home at 250,000, we're looking at an additional $50, >> $4426, >> give or take, how the numbers finally work out >> for the average. >> That was last 62,000. >> That was last year. And then the year before, then the year before, then the year before. But I just see how it adds up, >> right? >> You know, you're up $200 or whatever it is for the last four years on your taxes. If I'm saying that, >> you're up $150 on average over the last five years. >> It just adds up over the years. >> Yeah. No doubt about it. >> You know, and I understand things are getting

077more expensive and I definitely trust what Dr. Ker is doing for all this. I think there was a lot of mismanagement in the past years and I think we're trying to make up for it. But um the increases and stuff like it's just it's just I pay them I pay a lot of I have two businesses here and I pay a lot of taxes and and for me not knowing what the exact number will be by me making this decision is tough that that's just that's just where I'm at. I'm just thinking out loud right now. >> And I think it's important for the board to to understand your role. you have a fiduciary responsibility um as board members and to the community. And so some questions to reflect on is, you know, do you

078believe that that we've presented a budget where you thoroughly understand the revenues and the expenditures of the district? Um what you are approving is actually the $170 million budget authorizing us to put that forward to voters. That's what the proposition is authorizing. what the implications are for the tax impact varies because our school district as you can see encompasses West Senica, Chikawaga, Orchard Park and uh parts of the town of Hamburg. So that ripple effect to residents is not something that the board directly votes on. What you're authorizing is us to put out to the community a a vote on the budget that that we are recommending which is just over $170 million. >> Okay. So we vote and this goes through the taxpayers eventually decide >> they do if they do. >> So there's

079two parts to this. tax levy that we put into the budget is the maximum we can put in under the tax cap formula without going for a a supermajority vote. The second part is the board takes action in August when all the numbers are available to approve the tax rate so you have a second bite at the apple in August. >> Yeah. And listen, I would love to throw a billion dollars in the school so every kid could have their own private bus and do everything. I love the school. I like the direction we're going with with Dr. Krueger. But then at the same time, that responsibility I have to everyone else in the community who's asking me, hey, what's up with this budget? Hey, is this going to increase my taxes? I think they

080look at the budget, they see a bunch of numbers. Yeah, teachers are getting paid this and this, but the only question they want answered is how much are my taxes? >> Right? So that's why I'm just making this discussion now, you know, so people can see where we're at because not only do I want to take care of the schools, absolutely, but the people paying for the schools, I think they need to know, too. >> I And the actual tax rates are set, like I said, in August. It's a separate vote in a separate thing. Just a You want to address the reserve situation at all? >> Yeah, sure. So, I know we talked a little bit about um like when we're looking at revenues versus appropriations, we're obviously in a deficit position and we

081need to use reserves. If actual appropriations come in under and revenues coming over, we might not even have to use those reserves. Uh we are very cautious throughout the school year on our spending. a budget as a framework at the beginning, but there is an opportunity to not even touch those reserves if we come in favorable throughout the year. >> Okay. However, there's so if the numbers come in favorable, we don't have to touch the reserves. We still took the money from the taxpayers and where we could have just used the reserves. It's not like we can kick the money back to them. And that's kind of the hard pill to swallow when you're voting on this budget because it seems every year the excess revenue is extremely high and we dump it into reserve

082accounts which you know do get utilized for good things. However, we still continue to increase the taxes. >> I will um I'm just going to throw out there I believe we're being fiscally responsible on it and I I do know where you're coming from. I don't believe we can do the opposite though where if we don't do it this way and there's an issue, we can't spend more than we've kind of budgeted like legally I believe if I'm if I'm correct on that. So I support it that way. But I do want to um just counter with Zach to let you know I think and I don't know how many years this has been but the budget has been approved by the taxpayers which to me shows that they do support us doing what we're

083doing even though there you know like you said there there may have been mismanagement or not doing things the way they could have been done. Um the budget's passed um and it's passed uh overwhelmingly. So, I do think the community does, you know, does support it and that's one of the reasons I'm behind it is my cost, my personal costs have gone up way more than 2% on everything. Um, you know, uh, so we're limited to that little bit, but as you can see with our with our stuff we're doing repairs on, um, repairs that we could have done 10 years ago cost twice as much now. Um, so I'm looking at if we if we use a little bit more money now, it's actually cheaper than waiting 10 more years and having to buy

084that same equipment because it would cost twice as much. So I kind of, you know, I kind of like I hate to say doing a little bit at a time. Way better than trying to raise taxes 20% um in five or 10 years if we have to because of issues uh like like you know like the town had to had to go over two years 20%. they've, you know, they've done zero the last several, but before that it was a huge increase. We don't have that ability. So that just letting, you know, you and the board know why I support doing it this way. >> I I I understand where you're coming from, but the fact that it it has been mismanaged and they're still constantly going up and I understand stuff's getting more expensive.

085At what end is like, we have our budget set. We're not going over it. We have reserves. At what time does that end when everything's done or do we just keep saying, "Hey, we're gonna put more money in. Hey, we're gonna put more money. We need more money from you." And I understand under the leadership of Dr. Krueger, I I really do think it's going to start evening out, you know, to where we can do that. It's just it's tough when you, you know, I'm involved in the town in many different ways and that's all I hear from people. Taxes, taxes, taxes. I got to pay taxes, you know. In fact, I've been working up in the town building. when people are going in to pay their taxes, they don't look too happy. >> But

086>> so that's just my concern. >> I I just I want to counter that with there's also parents that are very unhappy with their child not having a special ed policeman in our district whose child is sitting at home instead of being in school and we're paying for therapists to go out to the house to provide services instead of them being in a classroom. And I know my the district I work in is very different than West Sonica, but in the last within the last decade, we've seen a rise in just our autism self-contained classrooms from 15 to over 160. So there's huge need in our special ed department alone. So, it's not just prices of things going up. It's a changing population of student um and giving our students that are, you know, our

087gened students the best opportunities. I don't want to take college courses out of our schools and AP classes and sports and extracurriculars. That's important. That's what keeps people coming back here, wanting to come back, raise their family here. all these improvements that we're doing. You know, my kids are almost graduated, all of them, but they they look around and they say, "Wow, I wish that would have been here when I was here." So, to me, everything goes up all the time. So, it's worth it to pay it to me. >> So, that being said, of this 170, how much is it increasing going towards a special program? on that 170 the propa how much are we increasing the money to take care of kids in special >> we did increase our our Bosey's tuition in

088the budget if we look at um the expenditures I can try to find that slide for you but our our Bosey's tuition and special ed out of district placements um we did increase those budget lines I mean our costs increase just like an individual household increases if we don't adjust what we're we're spending ing to those increases and make it we have to make cuts in order to balance that budget. Um where are we making those cuts? We we've looked at that in previous years and it becomes very challenging because uh we have you know necessary positions. We have programs that people rely on or expect as part of of our schooling. And so we have to make those adjustments in order to continue uh and grow the way that we've kind of set out

089to do. >> Yeah. And I'm not saying yes or no to it. I'm just trying to understand where this is going. >> No one's, >> you know, that that's what that's all I'm trying to do is figure out where this is going. And and of course, our number one priority is the students and getting all this, but remember all the people who are paying for all this stuff, too. You know, like I said, I give a billion dollars to school, but I just, you know, it's there's got to be a balance between keep taxing people and then having money put in the school in the wrong way or this or that. And I will go back to the mismanagement of it in past years and not doing capital improvement projects and all that kind of

090stuff. That definitely plays a factor. So it almost feels like we're playing catchup. >> We are. >> There's And then on top of it with I mean the enrollment has obviously been declining for years in the district. Um and back to when we had to date told us we have somewhere around like 20 or 25% that are going to private school um within the district. And the thing I think that's even more concerning to me is the amount of staff I know that sends their children to private school. I think we need to find out why that is. I mean, if you have so much faith in public school education and in this district, why do you feel the need to send your child out? I mean, it could be religion based, but I think

091that's something that needs to be looked into and addressed. But I mean that's the other hard pill to swallow is when we continue to see the uh enrollment drop and we just keep increasing our cost. It doesn't that that's the other aspect doesn't add up to >> I do have some information regarding Zach's question if if you don't mind pulling up slide 14. So slide 14 I did highlight a change that we had here which was the Bosey's capital project cost but also on this slide you'll see highlighted in green programs for handicapped that that's the the actual budget code an increase from $2.9 million to $3.4 million. So over a half million dollar increase in that budget line. uh computer assisted instruction instruction which again can can be uh for students who are not

092able to be placed in a district placement. Social work services has increased and if you look at the bottom of this screen the special ed related service codes um that has increased another half million dollars. So that's continued expansion of program needs. So this slide highlights um some of our additional expenditures which are related to special education, alternative education, special ed tuition. Those those increases are are real. We are trying to service as many kids as we can in district um and have as you know we've expanded our in district programming but with high need students there is a lot of personnel that goes along with it. We now employ over 140 teacher aids. That's a huge amount of teacher aids. But when you have a 163 class where there are three aids, many of

093those students also have individual care aids, there are often as nearly as many adults in the classroom as there are children in our most uh most intensive needy classrooms. So we do what we can to service in district, but you see that also our out of district or both placements have increased. >> Yeah. And I'm I'm all for special ed programs and all that being funded and even more funding. In fact, I know a gentleman that put his life's work into it. I think you would want that, too. But, um, >> yeah, that I'm just trying to figure stuff out. That's all I'm trying to do is what's the best >> Great conversation and stuff like that. That's you're thinking it and other people are thinking it. Let's talk about it. The other thing that

094I do like what we're doing currently with Dr. Krueger and everyone and here at the budget is we're not I don't believe we're wasting money. I believe we've all worked as a board and administration and faculty and staff to not like just waste money like like again I just I always think back to like we had a dishwasher here that didn't work for years and we kept repairing it and repairing it and repairing it. Would have been cheaper just to replace it. Like didn't want to spend the money to replace it. just kept repairing it because that little bit just didn't no one noticed it as much. But I think that type of thing now we're under things where we're we're getting things fixed as opposed to just doing minor repairs. And I just I

095I support the budget that way because if we don't do it now, we eventually almost everything we do is mandated. Like we have to have bathrooms um as our like the restroom in here. I think we're down to how many stalls? Three. Down three stalls out of six. Um, you know, eventually that entire bathroom's not going to work and the money has to be spent on it. Um, and it's, you know, it just I don't I don't know if you were to ask me, Ed, what would you cut from this budget? I think I'm very happy with this current budget. I I don't I don't think I would like, oh, let's get rid of band, you know, let's let's get rid of science. I I don't have anything where I think that we're wasting money

096on. Um, and and the cool thing is we have our our budget committee. Um there's no reason why we can't have these discussions getting ready for next year's budget. Um and I don't mean to scare you guys. I know we start working on next year's budget probably already, right? Yeah. So um any ideas we have um with saving money or different ideas, the the budget committee is a really cool thing to kind of work through that stuff. Um and I do appreciate that. But whatever questions we have, we can also work. There's no reason why we have to wait until next year at this time to talk about this stuff. Um, no reason at all. We can talk as a board, we can discuss, we can hold an entire work session on it. Um, once

097we maybe get through this, we can talk about it right away so we can plan better for next year to have these answers or to have different ideas. Um, just throwing that out there just so we know. >> No, I agree. Let me reiterate here. I have full trust in Dr. Krueer and what she's doing and with the rest of the board. But eventually from our years of I don't know what you want to call it anywhere around for some superintendents and stuff like that who may or may not have done a great job and we're trying to catch up from that. I just need to look at it from all sides as far as the taxpayer and what's going on. Believe me, I said it three times already. I would love to fund and

098we should especially special items, you know, that's huge. >> You know, I'm just I just want to understand it, you know. So when people come to me like, "Hey, why is my taxes going up this much? It says schools. I don't have kids in the school. This and that. I'm like, I can keep that. >> Well, I mean, I I could tell you six roads that I've never driven on and I got to pay for those to be paved, >> you know. >> So, yeah, I know. I'm saying I and and that's where we got to decide as a community. What do we want? You know, how do we want to do it? I I personally don't I've I I remember when we were in the top 10 um with that magazine that everyone anyone

099who's in the top 10 promotes it and says it's great and then anyone who's not says all those numbers don't mean anything. What is business first. Um, I know I'm not supposed to probably say that out loud, but we were in the top 10 and we were proud of it. We were named um like uh one of the best schools in America to attend. We we've won many things. I'd rather be that than hey, I don't want to go to West Senica because it's crappy. Um I I think we've always been proud of our schools and I think our schools have always done a great job. I think again what we're trying to do is continue that and make it even better. So, it's it's a lot of money. Um, I feel a little better

100about having I've never really had that number um with the assess. I never really understood that before that your home is assessed differently than the market value type thing. So, I I feel better because I've always just told people, well, $250,000 home goes up, you know, like a 70 cents for every dollar. Like, I I I don't now now I understand that better. Um, you know, and I I don't I don't know. I don't I don't actually think if if we don't have a great school district that our home values aren't hurt by that, too. So, I mean, it's a it's a little investment for a lot of return and also a lot of it we have no choice on. So, just and no one's this is a actually a great conversation. I wish we

101would do more of this um because people can watch this and they probably have the same questions. And I'm not implying we don't do more of this. I'm saying it kind of feels awkward to question things or to talk about it, but this is this is why we're here. We're not supposed to meet in a private room and discuss it. It's nice to do it out in public. >> Yeah. And there's a lot of people watching. >> Yeah. >> And we will be in the top 10 soon. >> We're shooting. >> And Lisa, I just want to ask because there's the one slide and it doesn't have a number, so I don't know which one it was, but it has the picture graphs on >> the the east. >> The pie chart. The pie charts,

102>> the green and gold. >> There's blue in there. two different shades. Um I think we had this discussion at our last work session. Uh you know what I had brought up as far as the town we're looking forward to some big companies not small businesses the big companies going in um the old mall site. So when you look at the sales tax, we would be getting more money in from big companies which means any increases correct because it's the same dollar amount but the percent to the taxpayer ideally would be less in the future if as a town we get more business in. Right? Am I >> sales tax revenue would be different? >> So Lorine's referencing slide 22. if you don't mind pulling up slide 22 just so everyone can see that and

103reference that. And the sales tax is county sales tax. So I wish it was as easy to say that more more retail locations in West Senica directly mean more sales tax revenue in West Senakica, but the sales tax revenue is Erie County sales tax. So that ultimately goes to the county to be disseminated among among the towns, municipalities and andor school districts. Anything that you would like to add to or elaborate on? >> Um, no, that's absolutely true and it's sales tax revenue is hugely dependent on the economy. So that's why that number is usually fairly conservatively estimated. The only the other thing I'll say is that if the assessed values in the town increase because of development, new businesses locating here, um that does not raise the amount of revenue the district can get

104because it's governed by the tax cap, but it would have the effect of lowering the effective tax rate because it would spread the taxes over a larger base. >> Sure. So, we're all in favor of development here and uh you know, we do everything we can to support, you know, pilot initiatives and those kinds of things. >> Yeah. I So, the way I understand it is and I think Lancaster is a good example of this, they have a lot of businesses in their community which allows the tax burden to be spread out like you know if uh let's just throw it out there and say if a Costco opens in West Sonica, Costco itself is not sending kids to our school. So it doesn't necessarily, you know, cost us because Costco's opening, but it benefits

105us because it helps they they pay taxes. So the Senica multite right now, no one's paying or I don't know how that works when they build on it, but I I think the more businesses we bring into West Senica, the better um for our taxpayers, the community um because it increases, you know, businesses pay taxes and we like that. >> I understand. It definitely offsets tax on the res. >> Yeah. But uh >> I think am I right in saying that on other businesses? >> Yeah. >> Okay. >> Yeah. But I think ultimately what we have learned tonight is as we move towards the uh financial literacy for regions, this is a good uh section to cover. >> We shouldn't like the kids here. Absolutely not. >> Think of all the adults who don't know

106this stuff and how it applies. I mean these are the things as our children say I need to learn practical things like this is practical and to me that's financial literacy >> this is practical if you want to know about a school district budget other than that school when you buy a house this involves you that is why that say what my tax is going to be okay >> any other uh any other discussion and I again I will point out what we're voting on now is to just put this in front of the taxpayers. So whether you support this current budget or not, um all we're doing is saying we support this to go to a vote if that helps with anything also. And if I'm wrong on that, throw a shoe at me.

107>> You're correct. That's correct. >> Okay, cool. First time I was speeding the other day. Um okay, so I don't have any remembrance where we were. We were in discussion for and I called it AG, but Sarah corrected me and said >> 10g. >> So you seconded it. We were in discussion. Any other discussion? Cal, >> you good? You always hide over there. I never get to see you. >> We're going to have to move your seat one of these days. Um, okay. Well, then I'm going to do a roll call vote. So I will begin I'll begin with Zach. Zack, yay or nay or abstain? >> Yay. Jeremy, >> nay. >> I apologize, sir. >> Nay. Okay. >> Sarah. >> Yes. >> Yay. >> Loren. >> Yay. >> Ed. Yay. >> Okay. Uh, the

108motion passes 61. Thank you. Now we'll move on to what Sarah would call 10H. That is also a roll call vote. So, this one is for budget proposition number three. Uh, may I have a motion for budget position proposition number three, please? >> So, move. >> I'll make the motion to pass uh proposition number three. >> Zach made the motion. Loren >> Lorine seconded it after she did not. >> The quickest motion then. What did you say? >> He said so moved. >> Oh, >> okay. Any discussion on this one? >> Okay. They didn't pass to extend the electric buses the last year for passing this type of bus basically. Correct. >> And do we have a plan in place for moving forward with >> electric buses? >> We've had our study completed um to

109determine our capacity for electric buses. Uh there is substantial advocacy right now to extend that timeline um so that we will have greater grace is anticipated. Um, it's unlikely that that the governor, from from what I've been told, it's unlikely the governor is going to entirely walk away from u movement towards electric vehicles, but it is very likely that the timeline will be elongated for school districts. That school districts across the state are really struggling with this mandate. Not only the the cost of the buses themselves, but the infrastructure and the capacity of the grid to be able to handle uh electric vehicles. So, does she not like pay attention to anything outside her office? Because like I can tell the NFTA converter, they went back to all gas powered. There's some school districts that

110invested or received grants and aren't even using them because they're it's not efficient. They don't work and try to jam it down. It's just I'd really like to see a breakdown of cost like especially with you know infra infrastructure like where we're going to be at how much that possibly could cost us and >> you know that where we're at >> we continue to advocate >> so I agree with him like uh we have to have a plan in place if this thing's going to cost us $20 million to put these buses >> so we're not surprised >> much of our plan relucture to support it though and that's something that you know I think that's going to be where the the delay will then come from because >> our our systems can't support us

111developing electric buses even if we had the capacity to do it right now >> there's limits on reserves so we couldn't try to save like you would for a house budget 20 million because you have a limit of how much you can save a good point to production of the buses too is going to be a complication so >> if you would like um to have a work session on this. I think there's a lot to be had about rich discussion on this. If you look at electric vehicles, the cost of electric vehicles has decreased over time. The cost of electric buses has increased over time. um with the the mandate that New York State has put upon school districts, it has really made it um so that we're we're somewhat held hostage to to

112those that are, you know, manufacturing the vehicles and knowing that that we're being obligated to move in this direction. So there's little incentive for them to reduce the price of the buses which cost four times as much as a deal diesel bus. Um you this obviously would be to purchase diesel vehicles. Um our fleet of buses are all diesel vehicles. But I think there would be a a worthwhile opportunity for us to have a work session where we can learn about more about the electric buses. Our colleagues in Lakeshore, some of us went out and visited Lakeshore and got to ride on an electric bus and they have offered to bring a bus out to us so that we could explore that. There are grant funds and incentives through organizations like NAERTA. Um all of

113those things are are things that we have been learning more about so that we can be ready for this should the timeline not be elongated but all signs are indicating that it will be. >> Yeah. And we can have this discussion later but when we were in New York City at the school board thing the guys who make the electric bus almost admitted to me that they're garbage. So then they're not working yet. and they all had gold chains and stuff. Um I will actually I just want to throw something out that goes to the earlier discussion the study that we were mandated to have and I don't want to throw you under the bus. Uh what was that cost mandated to do just to get ready for electric buses? Any gas? I mean you

114will >> it was done by Wendell Associates. Um I don't recall the >> It was more than $1,000. >> It Yes. >> It was a lot of money just to say hey we we can't do this now. We need to get all new power here. We need to get a different parking lot. We need to like we need a new building. Like the study was basically mandated and you know we got to pay for that a million. I would it's got to be a lot of money. >> Well, I don't want to put you on the spot, but if you recall that the study was done prior to to me joining the team >> for that. I should and I've been here. I should know the number, but I don't. I'm going to say $13

115million in infrastructure improvements if you are purchasing. >> Okay. So, >> yeah, that that that's what the study told us, too. That was how many years ago? >> Yeah. >> So, okay, cool. Any other discussion on uh nothing to do with electric buses? Proposition three. >> Okay. I will do a roll call vote. I will start with Mara. >> Yay. >> Yes. Loren. >> Yay. Laura, >> yay. >> Sarah, >> yay. >> Jeremy, >> yay. Zack, >> and then me. Yay. Passes. Uh 70. Hey guys, guess what? I is going to be normal. Anyone want to do uh like u kind of more than just I? My guess would be I through K, but if anyone has something different that they would like to do, >> we'll make the motion for I through K. >>

116Jeremy motion I through K. May I have a second to Motion to approve? May I have a second to approve, Laura? Thank you. Any discussion on anything on I through K. Okay. Uh all in favor? >> I. >> Anyone opposed? Passes 70. Now we'll move on to our board of education discussion. Uh let's see. We have a couple things on there. Um I will start to get this taken care of. We have on April 21st. We are supposed to hold a special meeting for the Boseies board vote. Um I do not believe it's for anything other than the board vote. No budget. No, >> it will only be a vote on the two board members that are running for two seats. >> Okay. So, >> we're required to do it on that. >> Okay. I've

117got a few questions, but I figured we could start with the board. We're looking to um and I don't I don't want to get us in trouble, but there's literally no other business we are going to conduct. So, we just got to figure out a way to hold a a fivem minute board meeting. But the question I have is what if we don't meet? Do we go to jail? >> Just asking. >> Or could we move the the meeting information from the 28th to the 21st and just make it one meeting? >> I don't know. It's like a week away, right? I don't know that we can. >> I was told that we have to >> Oh, yeah. I'm just And this is just Ed wondering like what happens if we don't. >> I ask

118if we could do it as a Zoom and I was told no. I I I consulted with our attorney. >> Okay. Yeah. I' I'd like to find that out like but we still have to solve this problem now. >> Yeah. >> Um >> No, I'm just you know that I once I realized I tried to come up with creative >> Yeah. Actually, and I like some of your ideas. I just we need to get the board I mean in theory we need to find a time where minimum four of us can get together and vote on this. I mean obviously it's up to seven because it'd be an open meeting in the public. Uh there's literally no other business we are going to conduct at all. So I don't know how you guys want to

119solve that whether we >> what is on the 28th >> work session. >> It's a work session. That's why I'm saying >> like what's on the agenda? Do we know? >> So um >> the DASA >> Yeah. >> Mara had requested information regarding dignity for all students act um violations under DASA. So we have that data for us to review and discuss. I think she wanted to I don't want to speak for you, but some procedures related to that. Um that's the only agenda item that I'm aware of. >> Oh, wait. Was the the one that that Sarah also had requested for the um >> athletic practice fields. Uh the the data regarding DASA, that report was sent out um with the weekly update, excuse me. So, you have all the data that was requested.

120This was just an opportunity to discuss the data. >> Yeah. I don't I don't know of anyone here bumping the meeting up a week. The work session helps, doesn't help. If anyone's interested in >> it would make available on the 28th for district events. >> I heard that suggestion. The only conflict that really won't be a conflict is we do have a district safety committee meeting that afternoon. That's scheduled to go from 4 until 5:30. We know if we were holding the meeting at 6:00, there wouldn't be a conflict for that. If you'd rather just hold our our work session on the 21st, >> I just need um input from everybody on that. Uh like we we kind of do need to make a decision today. So, I don't know if we want to move

121the work session or I mean >> there's also community education advisory meeting that day. >> I get >> I can move that. It's early. >> Yeah. >> So, I I just want to say like if if if it's too much trouble to move the work session, like this is literally between four and seven board members walk in here. We motion in, we vote, we motion out, and we leave. >> Jeremy wants to come. >> I'd rather move everything to the 21st. >> I'm good with that. I can move stuff around. I'm pretty confident I can. >> Okay. >> Any uh input from the group at the end of the table that I can't see for you. Works for me. >> 21st is better. >> Okay. >> Jeremy 21st. >> He wants both actually. >> You

122want to do both? Uh Zack here on the 28th. >> I don't think I'll be able to make it. >> Okay. What are your feelings on um I mean my opinion if one board member can't make it, you don't want us to do it. I don't think we should do it. What are your thoughts on >> Go ahead. >> Okay. >> I'll I'll we'll send an email to you. >> Okay. So, if we are interested in moving it to the 21st, the next question would be how does that affect you and your team and >> we can be ready. I'm I'm available that night. We can be ready for the 21st. >> So, then the 28th wings. >> Great. >> So, we want to do that. >> The first part would be a board meeting

123and then last would be a meeting. >> Five minutes according to five minutes. Well, I don't even know if I'm 5 seconds. >> It would be a board meeting with just one agenda item and that's the Bosey's vote. And then we would go into our work session where we can discuss. We've got two uh discussion items for the work session >> similar to what we did on the 17th oract following board meeting. We can just report on that. >> Great. >> Is virtual an option? >> Yeah, you can move it virtual if you want. >> Yeah. >> Cool. >> I don't know. Do we have to do an official vote to move a meeting or how does that >> So I think what we have to do and I hope that our attorneys is we

124just have to post a notice and let the community know that we've made a change. >> Okay. So >> and then we all need to remember when we're setting the calendar for next year's board meeting that we want to make sure that same time around 20th every year that we schedule our meetings that date so we don't have to deal with it next year. >> So we still have one meeting a week. Easter. >> I'm thinking four. Um, okay. So, again, no official vote, but we're just going to do it. So, now on to something that uh we've postponed a couple of times. The exofficial student board members. We were at a dinner discussing how the process is going to work for next year. I think one of the big things we were wondering, I

125was wondering is how much input are our current exficial board members going to have on next year or if some decide to return or not? what's the process looking like since this was our first year. Um, so I don't know if any of you guys want to start with any questions or ideas or we have included in the packets what the policy is and how everything works. So I'll start there. Anyone? >> Yeah, I'll start. So now see now you're now you're good. uh through the interview process it does state that the principal will conduct the interviews but when we Adam and I were conducted it was between the two of us and um it wasn't based on the rubric it was based on whose essay was better by the clerk's point of view and

126that is because he's seen us both as equals and couldn't necessarily completely make the decision on his own so I don't know if if there was another case like that if whether it was the current exeicios that could hold the interview or if it was like the board of education itself >> uh a committee maybe not just one person. >> So uh let me make it clear what you're saying is the principal had a hard time because you guys were both great. >> Yes. >> Is that a good way to say it? Okay. >> I don't know about you but I wasn't interviewed. Were you interviewed with Mr. >> You were? >> I'm sorry. Say that again. Sorry. You weren't or you weren't? >> Were you? I wasn't interviewed. I just sent in the application

127packet and then I just got the email the one day from Dr. Krueger. >> How much did you put in the packet? How many how many pretend my >> Don't don't answer that question. >> Um so I guess that's you know what do we >> So we have total local control. There's there's some things that the regulation requires of us um that are outlined in policy, but we have total local control on the selection criteria or selection process. Uh the way our policy reads now, which the board can revise a policy is that the exeicio student board members will be selected by the principal of each high school. So, one from east, one from west and the principles had conducted uh those interviews or potentially not. Um, if we are hearing a suggestion from Kale

128that it that is a committee process where maybe we have board members with the principal or I'm involved or current exeicio student board members, we could change the policy to have that be interview by committee or selection recommendation by committee. It would just require us to revise the policy. The the only challenge right now is that there was some sense of urgency around us having this discussion today because according to policy, the applications for next year are due by May 15th. And so I want to be careful that we're not changing the process so late in the game that that we're really closing the window on students to apply. If we were to change the policy, the board could adopt the policy change on May 12th. you know, we could still have students begin the

129application process, solicit volunteers, um, and then later make a determination on what does that interview process look like if if that's the direction we'd like to go. >> And I I take full responsibility for that. I bumped it a couple times from the agenda. I apologize about that. Um, I didn't realize it was >> I think we can still elicit Yeah. Uh, the applications. It's really more the the details of how we select the students. >> I have a quick question. Yes, sir. >> Would the principles know the students best for this position? >> Would that >> Yeah. >> Would that be the reason why the principles would select these students? >> Yes. I think she said the problem they ran into was the principal said, "I I can't pick." So, someone else picked. >>

130There's also some students that have stated that the principal might not know who they are even if they've gone to that school like for four years. There's some people that have graduated saying that he's never once like none of any of the principles that have ever been there have known their names or maybe acknowledged them because they've never gotten in trouble or have had bad grades to be in the principal's office. So, if you're not an excelling student and going above and beyond and you're just doing everything you should be doing, you're not might not be getting the credit for it and they might not know the full potential you have. >> My principal knew me by name. Um, the other question the other question I wanted to throw out there was what type of

131weight is given to say a current exficial board member who would be interested in returning. I'm not saying we have any right now, but I'm just curious like how that works with our policy. Well, I think in in theory what we had discussed or envisioned was that our exeicio student board member alternate would start their junior year as an alternate and then somewhat graduate into having a seat at the table as the exeicio student board member during their senior year. However, we have several individuals, for example, at East Senior, both Charlotte and Adam are seniors. >> You probably could stay one more. So we we will be replacing both Charlotte and Adam because they will be graduating. But I think ideally what what would make sense for us to consider is that by design we

132have the alternate be a junior with the understanding that that it's intended to be a two-year commitment because you catch >> nice >> um you have grown and flourished throughout this year but I can only imagine when you had a seat at the table first in July you're kind of sitting back being quiet and cautious and learning what your role is And imagine if you were here yet another year, how much more comfortable and confident you would be to really speak your mind at the table. So I my recommendation would be we try to have the alternate be a junior with the intention that they're with us for two years and then their senior year they move into the exeicio role. So each year we're really soliciting a junior to join as the alternate. Do

133you have juniors like current juniors that were interested in being >> that was the other problem was that there wasn't as much interest in it and now maybe after they've witnessed acts of fish issues sitting at the table they'd be more interested in it but as far as I'm aware there were only three candidates last year and that was probably why the struggle was that's my worry is that we would have to have something written in that if there were not a junior interested what would we do in that case in that building? >> So um would we select two future seniors to do it then? So we would have to actually change our policy to say a junior is the >> alternate >> the alternate like we that's not in the policy now. >>

134Correct. >> Okay. >> And remind me it has to be a junior senior or is there any opening to a sophomore if that was the case? >> It's just junior senior I believe. Right. >> Was that you have to be you have to have attended the high school for at least one year. >> That's to apply. I mean, no, I I thought our I thought our policy were sophomore >> technically, >> but they sophomore year >> because at the end of freshman year, they wouldn't have been at the school a full year yet to apply to in April. They're not there for a full year yet. Sophomore year. >> Oh, yeah. Yeah. So, right now it's sophomore. Yeah. Okay. >> You're right. Never mind. Um, so if we theoretically did the policy for that junior

135senior, obviously the other thing we'd have to remember is if that junior after their first year on the board is like I don't want anything to do with these people, we would have to make sure we have a replacement set up somehow for that too. >> So I mean this is I think it's great. I think there should be a mini committee my personal opinion to pick not just the principal. I like the idea. Um, I don't know how the process could work. And then I like the idea of having a junior and a senior with the ability to change if we have to. >> Dr. Krueger, does it say the principal will interview and choose or does it say the principal chooses? Does it is it open to who interviews? Because I would just

136like the students to be part of that interview process and possibly some board members. The way the policy reads now is that um students will be selected by the principal of each high school. But we can revise that. We have the the authority that's a local decision on how we select the students. If we would like it to be a committee of stakeholders, it could be something broad where that committee of stakeholders could include uh school administration, board representatives, current exeicio student board members if we wanted a teacher representative um or a parent representative. Just I would suggest some broad language such as a a committee of stakeholders. >> Yeah, I like that. Okay. >> I mean, I'll make the motion if we want to have someone write it. >> Is the consideration by committee

137is that based off this rubric like this objective rubric or is that based off like subjective stuff? Just curious. >> So, I think if there was a committee then we would we would abide by the the rubric and it would be the highest scoring of the rubric. Is that you come to a conclusion as a committee on one score or is that each person puts in their scores and then you like average that? I >> mean officially it would be the interpretation of whoever was leading the committee but typically in a school committee it would be separate ratings that would then be highest score >> each and then you'd have a discussion >> and we can more or less imply best practice on that too as opposed to >> making it official. Um, did we

138cover all the bases with that? >> Any thoughts or guy like >> Yeah, I think it'll determine like on interest like >> you know I think it should you know even if it's two juniors or two seniors. >> Yeah. And that's what I was saying if the goal if if we if we read the policy where the senior is the exofficial board member and the junior is the alternate there would then be just a section saying unless Every year moving forward, we should only have to have one new >> offer here. Unless we run into a year where there's >> Yeah. >> No senior interest or no gender interest and you know we have two that same grade level. That's the only time it would. >> How would you guys gauge the interest? Have people

139come up to you and asked about your experience? Express interest? >> No. >> Moderate. probably count on two hands. >> I think the other thing was the way it was publicized. When you read off all the responsibilities, it can seem really scary to someone that has never done anything in that position. Um, so I don't know if there's an easier way to word it or something that sounds a little bit more enticing to students. I know I use I'm using these hours to get towards my seal of civic readiness. So if that was one of the ways that we publicize it is that they at the end they'll receive their seal or even just hours for any other thing. Could we have them do like a little informational video that we shared through announcements or

140something that they talk a little bit about what it actually looks like for students? >> Probably do something on West TV. >> And yeah, and then um Sarah brought up this rubric actually only addresses the essay part. There's not a rubric for the interview. We might want to look at that too. >> Say that again more. >> The rubric is only for the essay. It's not for an interview. >> I think that might have been the point that you were bringing it up. That's a good point. >> And would you guys be able to go through your responsibil met one of those criteria? So that way it's in student words and not in like adult legally sounding. >> Yeah. Adam and I have to write an essay in order to receive the seal and based

141on the hours that we completed and how it like maybe furthered other students education or how it like helped the school district in some way. So that would also correlate with the responsibilities. >> I think coming from your lens in your words that might be helpful. >> I like the idea of watch TV and the >> even if it's a here's the official but what does it actually look like? I'm going to talk about that. >> Yeah. Your experience. >> Yeah. I think that would be great. >> So, what are we going to do here? >> So, I will follow up with Mr. Winnicki and Mr. Brinker to discuss the recommendation that it be promoted via the announcements. Um, and what we did last year, which we will do again this year, is push it

142out to students via their email where they have the the details on how to go about applying for this and the roles and responsibilities that it requires. I think we should get that application or the raise the awareness as soon as possible. The revision to the policy I'll begin working on. We can adopt the policy revision at the May 12th meeting, but I will work on policy revision and get that language out to you via email so that you can see. I made some notes based on our conversation tonight and hopefully captured that. The board will need to adopt any changes to the policy. If it's changes to the rubric, those are things that we can just do internally. And I think your feedback regarding the interview is important feedback. We can make the revisions

143to the rubric as well. >> Dr. one more question and I and I don't want it to be like a negative. What if nobody applies? However, I like plan B because then you don't need it. So would there be like a contingency that should students not apply in May that come September, which would then be a year for those sophomores that there would be a secondary opportunity to open that door should no one apply in May? >> We could certainly do that. The other thing I'll just remind you of is by policy and also by New York State regs, we only have to have one exeicio student board member. Um, we are not required to have an alternate, nor are we required to have one for each high school. I think we value the voice

144and we want equal representation from East and West, but we've really gone above and beyond um what is required by New York State. >> Yeah. My concern would just be like if that happened and East didn't have one or West didn't have one year, it would just kind of take that same path >> if you didn't have someone that opportunity. So, I just >> I don't know. Is that an option? We >> Yeah. So if by June 30th, because the appointment is July 1 to June 30th, if by June 30th we have no student that has expressed an interest, we could revisit it in the fall and then current sophomores would be eligible. >> Like a current sophomore could get a whole writing campaign going. >> Um or Cal could just do it next year

145for both. >> Um okay. So are you are you okay doing this since it's a board thing? Do you want us to handle it or is done? I want I know >> unless you're really eager to do it. >> Oh, you don't I mean I'm like writing with a crayon. >> I don't mind. I took a ton of notes so I don't mind doing it. >> Okay. Just just check. I know. I don't I hate throwing more stuff on please. >> Your big pencil. >> Oh, I got another thought. >> Just one thing. Would you see if that could be pushed out through our like or through like our class like a 2026 2027 like classroom Google classroom pages and maybe the social studies teachers could push that out in their Google classrooms. >> Good

146idea. >> Good suggestion. >> Thank you. Thanks. >> Yeah. >> Um so we are we good on that? >> I I got to tell you that was one of the best conversations we've ever had on stuff. That's great. Um, >> oh my god, Jeremy. >> Uh, so the next thing, um, I wanted to bring up I had a note here somewhere. Where did I write that note? Okay. Yeah. And I and maybe maybe we do this and I if we do, I apologize. I know several years ago I asked if there was a way to do this. Right now, let's say the parents of Allenale, they get emails for the district and Allenale. Um, parents of every school get it. If you are a non parent in the district, is there a way for them

147to sign up for district emails? >> Yes. Um, hate to put you on the spot, Jess. Can you remind me there is the the way for for them to do that? >> Email address. They fill out a form and it's just [email protected] or I'm sorry, gmail wscchools.org or there's a page that's for community email addresses >> and that would be like where like um say someone's like doesn't have kids currently they get the updates that um a parent would get >> push out I push out superintendent spotlight for all those as well any anything that should go out to the community is getting in that email but we have seven maybe 10 people that signed up >> yeah no I understand I just and again I'm not taking a whole lot of weight on social

148media per se, but I saw several people say, "I don't have kids in the district. I don't know about this." So, I'm wondering if maybe we can do a push out or >> we really promoted that during the redistricting process because we were sensitive that parents who may have preschoolers at home um may not have felt connected to the information that we were sharing via email and pushing out. And so we were promoting that during uh as we were going through the redistricting and reconfiguration committee process, but we can certainly promote that again. So whether it's individuals who have students who have graduated, um they don't yet have school age children and just want to to be informed or any resident who wants to be aware of our communications, we'd be happy to to add

149them to the list. >> Cool. >> And didn't you have that on the town >> board on the corner of Yeah, I just didn't know if we can maybe reput, you know, that Sure. >> It's a good time of year to to redo it. >> I I know we had like the questions one, but I wasn't sure if we ever obviously I have kids in the school, so I don't I get every email. Actually, I get it twice because I get it as a board member, too. >> And truly, they can email the board or whatever and you can just forward it on to me or that questions email and I'll add them to the list. >> Okay, cool. >> Not a big deal. As long as I know what their name is and where

150they want the communication sent. >> Excellent. I don't know if you're allowed to like something to sign up for that at the vote. >> Oh, >> we could do a QR >> thing at the budget vote. >> Yeah, >> we could do that. >> I like that. >> Like the suggestion of a QR code. >> And the last question I have is when we pur I don't say purge, but so eventually like my kids my last kids in seventh grade, they're going to graduate. I'm taking them off of the email list somehow. Do we have to do that? Like do we just leave community members? I'm just asking. I know you're making a face. I don't know that. I'm just asking. >> It's sinking through. >> Okay. Got it. It's like a separate system. >>

151Got it. >> Who are basically out? >> Got it. >> As of July. >> I I got it by the face. Yeah. Okay. Cool. I'm happy with all that. I did have um a couple people mention they enjoyed the video. Is there a video out about the condition of the bathrooms? >> There is. >> Um they loved it. starring one of our students. Well, actually four of our students, but Charlotte is in there. Charlotte and Adam uh highlight the condition of the restrooms at East Senior. And then we have Bella and Nate who highlight the condition of the bathrooms at West Senior. >> Cool. Yeah. And they um uh so the I remember we did it with the theaters, too. Um the the other thing that you know the videos are they're super happy with

152the way the videos are. So, and they give me some ideas I'll pass along for the um other information they feel like we could do stuff like that with. So, I'll pass it along to you and the board. >> Thank you. What was pushed out last night was the first episode in a five uh episode series that are promoting different elements of the capital improvement project. So, the video that went out last night was on the restrooms. The next video that will be um dropped on Monday is featuring Mick Bar, our director of facilities and our HVAC, our boilers, um all that fun stuff. Excuse me. Our our fire systems. So, we have major elements of the project in the series of videos. >> Cool. >> Bless you. >> Excuse me. >> Pop your popcorn

153and sit down and watch about heating and cooling. I would I watch a guy on YouTube. >> Watch all five. There's a guy on YouTube who mows lawns and I literally watch an hour of it. Um, okay. Anything else on board discussion? Anyone Anyone want to bring up anything at all? Try to get the meeting shoot for 8:30. >> No. >> 8:21. Yeah. >> 821. I If I hear a motion to adjurnn, >> I'll make a motion to adjurnn. >> Laura, motion to adjurnn. >> Jeremy second. Any discussion? All in favor? >> I. Anyone opposed? Great everyone. Thank you so much. Have a great night. S70. See you guys next week.